Zack Polanski suffers blow as George Galloway stands in Holborn by-election sparking furious row

But Mr Galloway’s decision to throw his hat into the ring for the by-election contest threatens to split the Left-leaning, anti-Labour vote.

George Galloway has been hit with a backlash from within his Workers Party of Britain over his decision to stand in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election

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It has also sparked a furious row within the Workers Party of Britain, with Chris Williamson quitting as Deputy Leader.

The former Derby North MP posted on X: “I have...resigned from the Workers Party of Britain because I profoundly disagree with the decision to stand in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.

“I have a huge amount of respect for George Galloway, but I believe we should get behind Zack Polanski on this occasion.”

Mr Williamson praised the Green leader’s stance on State intervention in the economy, the war on drugs, illegal immigration and the criminal justice system.

He added: “I do have some differences on a small set of issues, most notably their current pro-EU and pro-NATO stances.

“But my view is that we should agree where we agree, which is on most things, and simply have fraternal disagreements where we don’t.”

Chris Williamson has quit as deputy leader of the Workers Party of Britain

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Sir Keir gained 18,884 votes, with the Green Party far behind in third place with 4,030.

If the vast majority of these voters backed Mr Polanski, it could put him within reaching distance of an historic election victory.

He is still popular among some Left-leaning and Muslim voters.

Labour's candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, Sagal Abdi-Wali, speaks to supporters during her campaign launch

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If Mr Galloway does gain a significant number of votes, it would appear to make it easier for Labour’s candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali, the leader of Camden Council, to retain the seat for Labour.

The Workers Party of Britain did not stand a candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election in February, having won 3,766 votes at the 2024 general election.