Holborn and St Pancras by-election LIVE: Polls open as Greens battle Labour in crunch London vote

Polls have opened in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election to replace Sir Keir Starmer in the north London seat.

Labour has held the seat since 1983, with the former prime minister representing it from May 2015 until he dramatically quit last month after being ousted from Downing Street by Andy Burnham.

Mr Polanski claims the contest is “close”, while Labour’s candidate, Sagal Abdi-Wali, tells voters: “I know there is lots to do, but I’m determined to deliver for you, and ask for your backing today”.

There are 15 contenders in total, with all of the mainstream political parties running.

Independent and smaller parties, including the Climate Party and the Communist League, are also fielding candidates.

Scroll down for the latest updates...

Live updates

Prime Minister weighs in

The Prime Minister has issued a last minute appeal to voters as Zack Polanski claimed the north London contest is "close".

“Today, hope can win. But only if you vote for it. I have no doubt that Sagal Abdi-Wali will make a brilliant local MP for Holborn and St. Pancras," Andy Burnham says.

“This area gave Sagal a home when she arrived here as a refugee in the 1990s. Camden gave Sagal and her family hope. Now she wants to give that back to the communities that have always been there for her. It’s hard to think of someone more committed to their local area and the care of people than Sagal.”

Mr Polanski says: "The election is looking close today. We already have a Labour government, a Labour council and a Labour Mayor. Isn't it time for a Green voice for Camden to push Labour to do better on issues like rent controls and to put Thames Water into public ownership - issues where they've been backtracking?

“On the climate crisis, today is the day to say clearly to Labour, "no new drilling in the North Sea" - a decision they chose to delay until after the by-election result. That makes your vote powerful."

Andy Burnham and Sagal Abdi-Wali, Labour’s candidate for Holborn and St Pancras

Labour

Green Party leader Zack Polanski delivers his speech during the Green Party autumn conference, at the Brighton Centre

PA

Polls open in crucial by-election

Polls have opened in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.

Voters have from 7am until 10pm to cast their ballot.

Who is standing in today's by-election?

Here are 15 candidates standing in today’s by-election.

They are:

Sagal Abdi-Wali - Labour Party

Barmy Brunch - Official Monster Raving Loony Party

Ewan Cameron - The Conservative Party

Tom Darwood - Independent

Clare Fischer - Climate Party

George Galloway - Workers Party

Tyler Kurtis Johnson - Restore Britain

Briony Anne Lonbay Kapoor - Rejoin EU

Peter Newman - Reform UK

Ketankumar Pipaliya - UK VOICE safer and stronger UK

Zack Polanski - The Green Party

Jonathan Silberman - Communist League

Helen Spiby-Vann - Christian Peoples Alliance

Patrick Thomas Stillman - Liberal Democrats

Ben Walker - UKIP - NO to Illegal Immigration

Welcome to our live coverage!

Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.

We’ll be following the election today as voters go to the polls in the north London constituency to decide who will replace Sir Keir Starmer as their MP.

We’ll also be covering the result that will come through in the early hours of Friday, and all the reaction afterwards in a key election test, particularly for Labour and the Greens.