Ex-Labour MP enters Holborn and St Pancras by-election battle by backing Polanski

Ms Dent Coad, who has long championed the rights of Grenfell survivors, says that residents should be looking for somebody to stand up for them on housing policy.

Emma Dent Coad was Labour MP for Kensington between 2017 and 2019

Ms Dent Coad said: “Holborn and St Pancras needs an MP who understands that the current housing model has failed those who need genuinely affordable homes, and who will support leaseholders battling an archaic system that disadvantages and silences them.

“Residents need an advocate who can focus on robust legislative change while helping those who are at the receiving end of those failures.”

Ms Dent Coad was a housing activist before becoming a Labour councillor in 2006, and says that it is clear there are still “huge problems” at Camden Council.

She added: “Across the constituency numerous housing crises are evident, from poor construction standards, fire and building safety failures, and the lack of new housing provision that has left a shameful 8,500 households on the waiting list.”

Sagal Abdi-Wali and Zack Polanski are both standing in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election

PA

Sagal Abdi-Wali, Labour’s candidate in the by-election, was in charge of Camden’s housing department before becoming council leader four months ago.

The department is considered the worst-performing part of the council, although Ms Abdi-Wali has said she was turning performance around.

Ms Dent Coad said: “Managing a failing system is not enough. I’ve known Zack Polanski for some years, and we have talked about his understanding of the housing crises.”