Green Party Leader Zack Polanski to Contest Starmer’s Former Parliamentary Seat

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has announced that he will contest the upcoming by-election in Holborn and St Pancras, the London constituency recently vacated by former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Polanski confirmed that he would be the Green Party candidate for the seat, which has traditionally leaned towards Labour. Starmer had represented the constituency since 2015 and won it in the 2024 general election, although his share of the vote fell significantly.

“I have lived and worked in this community over many years. I know it well, and I love it,” Polanski said. “I am so excited by the prospect of representing this place in Parliament.”

Starmer announced earlier this week that he would resign as the Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras, triggering a by-election. His decision came six weeks after he stepped down as prime minister following a loss of support among Labour MPs.

The constituency could face a competitive contest. In the 2024 general election, an independent candidate who campaigned largely against Israel’s war in Gaza secured nearly 19 percent of the vote, while the Green candidate received more than 10 percent.

Polanski has sought to position the Green Party as an alternative to Labour’s left wing. He said on social media that “Labour stands up for corporations and big money” while promising that he would “stand up for people and our communities.”

Since becoming Green Party leader a year ago, Polanski has overseen increased support for the party, including a surprise by-election victory in Greater Manchester. National polling has also put the Greens at as much as 20 percent.

However, Polanski’s popularity has faced challenges following criticism he made about police handling of the arrest of a man accused of stabbing two Jewish people in north London in April.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share