By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR

Published: 09:03 BST, 3 September 2026 | Updated: 09:09 BST, 3 September 2026

Zack Polanski has confirmed he does want to be the Green candidate in the by-election for Keir Starmer‘s old seat.

The party leader said he was ‘excited’ by the prospect of representing Holborn & St Pancras in the Commons as he ‘loves’ the community.

The announcement tees up a titanic battle with Labour, which is desperate to hold on to the seat as evidence of Andy Burnham‘s appeal to voters. 

However, there are rumours of a revolt among local Greens who are pushing to endorse a British Palestinian or pro-Gaza independent.  

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Zack Polanski has dropped a strong hint that he will stand in the Holborn & St Pancras contest, which the Greens believe they have a good chance of winning

Speaking to the Camden New Journal, Mr Polanski said: ‘I have lived and worked in this community over many years, I know it well and I love it.

‘It represents so many of the things that make London so special. I am so excited by the prospect of representing this place in Parliament.’

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Sir Keir conducted yet another U-turn to announce his immediate departure from the Commons on Tuesday, despite pledging to see out the rest of the Parliament. 

The move is a headache for Mr Burnham, presenting an early test of the poll ‘bounce’ the party has been enjoying.   

Labour has held the inner London constituency continuously since it was created in 1983, winning at least 40 per cent of the vote at every election.

Sir Keir had a majority of 11,000 in 2024, but that was significantly down from the 27,763 margin he secured in 2019. He came under heavy fire over his approach to Palestine during the campaign.

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The constituency is within the local authority of Camden, where local elections took place earlier this year in May.

Labour retained control of the council, but won only 30 of the 55 seats up for grabs – down from 47 in 2022.

Sir Keir had an 11,000 majority in 2024, but that was significantly down from the 27,763 margin he secured in 2019

The Greens won 11 council seats, seven of which were in the part of the borough covered by the constituency of Holborn & St Pancras. The party has since lost one of these seats to Labour in a by-election.

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The prospects for the Greens could be bolstered as independent candidate Andrew Feinstein, who racked up 18.9 per cent of votes in 2024, looks unlikely to stand. 

Labour is hoping to have a candidate in place by next Wednesday, with the contest potentially taking place as soon as October 1 or 8.

New Labour big beast David Miliband had been touted for a comeback, but appears to have ruled the prospect out. 

Labour squabbling has erupted as the party machines gear up for battle.

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Tulip Siddiq, a close ally of the former PM and MP for a neighbouring constituency, complained about candidates from outside the area trying to parachute in.

Ms Siddiq posted on X: ‘If I didn’t see you campaigning even once during the local elections in Camden, it’s probably best you don’t message me asking for help to run in Holborn and St Pancras,’ she wrote.

Emergency services were called to the road near Bowburn at around 2.45pm on Saturday, August 29, after a passenger became unwell in a car on the hard shoulder.

Police said the driver pulled onto the hard shoulder and paramedics were called for the passenger after he suffered a medical episode.

Paramedics performed CPR at the roadside, but the man, in his 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

National Highways North East closed the southbound carriageway between Junctions 61 and 60 after the medical emergency.

National Highways North East said delays had reached 15 minutes, with two miles of congestion on the approach.

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: “At approximately 2:45pm on Saturday, August 29 emergency services were alerted to the A1(M) southbound close to Junction 61.

“A passenger in a car, which had pulled onto the hard shoulder, had suffered a medical episode.

“Paramedics carried out CPR at the roadside but, sadly the patient, a man in his 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene.”

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called to an incident on the A1 near Coxhoe in County Durham at 2.37pm on Saturday, August 29.

“We dispatched two ambulance crews and one specialist paramedic to the incident.”

In a post on X, National Highways said: “A1M southbound between J61 and J60 in County Durham is closed due to a medical emergency.

“The ambulance service are on scene.

“There are delays of 15 minutes and two miles of congestion on the approach.”

Lawrence Shankland scored twice as Rangers beat Falkirk 2-1 to ease the pressure on the club and manager Derek McInnes

Derek McInnes reckons Lawrence Shankland delivered a “proper captain’s performance” after netting twice in Rangers’ 2-1 victory away to Falkirk.

The Scotland international has endured a challenging period at his childhood club following his summer switch from Hearts.

Yet, having converted from 12 yards in Sunday’s 1-0 triumph against Aberdeen at Pittodrie, he put the Light Blues in front with an excellent seventh-minute effort.

Despite Gers full-back Kosta Nedeljkovic diverting an Ethan Ross cross into his own goal shortly before half-time, Shankland bent home the decisive strike in the 79th minute with his characteristic finish.

McInnes said: “I’m very pleased for Lawrence Shankland. I thought his second goal was particularly good, considering he missed the chance that he would be kicking himself with.

“But, like all good strikers, the experience of Lawrence, the calmness of Lawrence, the quality comes up with a big moment.

“His first goal was a fantastic strike. I was screaming to leave it for Gass (Djeidi Gassama), but he sticks it in the back of the net.

“I’m delighted for him because it’s not been, like for all of us, the easiest of starts.

“Obviously Lawrence would feel the weight of that a lot more than some others, I think, just because of his background and how eager he is. A proper captain’s performance out there tonight.

“I’m pleased that we’ve won the game, and I was pleased with certain aspects of our attacking play, but disappointed that we’ve not been able to enjoy the game a bit more in terms of giving Falkirk a lot of encouragement at times.”

Prior to kick-off, midfielder Thelo Aasgaard departed the squad’s hotel to finalise a temporary transfer to Belgian outfit Anderlecht, while Rangers turned down a loan approach from Turkish club Besiktas for Nicolas Raskin. McInnes remains optimistic that the Belgian midfielder will stay at Ibrox.

He commented: “Yeah, I think he will. I can’t say when it’s certain; they’re not in control of that.

“Obviously Nico’s had an opportunity to go today, and it wasn’t something he wanted or the club, I believe, entertained. It was hardly the ideal preparation.

“I’ve been keen to utilise Nico, but there’s been a lot going on for him.

“He’s been training with us every day, and I do think at times the team needs a bit more experience.

“Even coming through from Ibrox at lunchtime today, at the hotel, I had Thelo behind me and Nico three rows behind me and I didn’t know who was coming and who was going. It’s far from ideal.

“This is the difficulty when you’re playing games while the window’s still open.”

Meanwhile, Falkirk manager John McGlynn was left frustrated by squandered opportunities following the interval.

He remarked: “I think we’ve got two great opportunities in the second half that we could have put ourselves 2 or 3-1 up.

“If you give Lawrence any kind of space in the box, he’s going to punish you. And he’s got a wee habit of doing it against us.

“I thought for 30 minutes of the second half, we were the better team.

“We probably deserved something, but we don’t want to be this team that can play nice football and be attractive and play good games.

“We need to start turning that into wins.”

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Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond have been replaced as hosts of The Grand Tour

New The Grand Tour presenter Francis Bourgeois has said the support of the show’s former hosts Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond has been “an absolute superpower”.

The 26-year-old will present the new series of the Prime Video motoring show alongside social media stars Thomas Holland and James Englesman.

Former Top Gear hosts Clarkson, Hammond, and May fronted the programme from 2016 to 2024 before they decided to leave. So when the streamer decided to bring it back this September, they replaced the hosts.

Speaking at the London premiere of the forthcoming series, Bourgeois, who is known for his trainspotting videos on social media, told the Press Association about his predecessors’ support: “They’ve been so warm and open. It’s that transition point where they know it’s going into nice, right hands, to have them, and to have their blessing is an absolute superpower.”

But his co-star Holland was quick to point out the new hosting team would avoid taking on similar roles to Clarkson, Hammond and May.

He added: “I mean there’s similarities between any of us and any other people right? Especially in the car world. You’re going to align with somebody on some things and disagree with them on others, that’s just kind of the nature of car enthusiasm right?”

Englesman added: “We’ve been presenting in our own worlds separately for so long, it’s more of a case of how we gel together rather than falling into the grooves of the old guys.”

The motoring journalist, who is from Canada, is best known for co-presenting YouTube channel Throttle House, with fellow Canadian Holland. Bourgeois, whose real name is Luke Nicolson, added that the trio’s relationship had built up a year before filming began, with Englesman calling Bourgeois “the missing ingredient”.

Clarkson, Hammond and May will make guest appearances during the forthcoming season, and the trio were there to support the new hosts at the premiere of the new series on Wednesday (September 2) evening.

The new series of The Grand Tour launches on Prime Video on September 4

Two fire crews were on the scene in Appleton le Street, near Malton, shortly after 11.30pm on Wednesday (September 2).

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was out when its crews arrived but there was “minor smoke logging the ground floor”.

“Crews naturally ventilated the property by opening doors and windows,” a service spokesperson said.

They added that “advice was given to the occupier”.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill heaped praise on Camilo Duran after the Colombian scored a spectacular 20-yard strike to help the Hoops to a commanding 3-0 victory over Aberdeen.

Celtic boss Martin O’Neill praised Camilo Duran’s exceptional talent following the Colombian’s contribution to the Hoops’ commanding 3-0 victory against Aberdeen.

The striker broke the deadlock unexpectedly in the 14th minute with yet another stunning goal since his arrival from Qarabag.

Duran appeared to have few options when he received Benjamin Nygren’s pass, yet he unleashed a thunderous 20-yard effort that crashed in off the crossbar with minimal backlift.

The forward also kept Marius Muller busy with four first-half stops and blazed over from a bouncing ball following Yang’s delivery that had thrown the Dons’ backline into disarray.

O’Neill said, “We played very well with some really good goals,” and “Camilo’s a star player.”

He added, “Camilo set the tone for us, I think perhaps maybe all season he’s done that. He’s a really class player.”

The manager continued, “He scored a great goal and obviously until you get that goal you just have to be on your guard as much as anything else.”

Nygren extended Celtic’s advantage before Duran turned provider for Yang Hyun-jun to net a third during first-half injury time, moments after Gavin Molloy had struck the woodwork at the opposite end.

O’Neill reflected, “I thought probably the big moment of the game was them hitting the bar with the header from the corner kick,”.

He concluded, “It seemed pretty comfortable at the end and we played some really good stuff as well too, so I’m delighted with that.”

Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson made four substitutions at the interval after expressing frustration with his team’s lack of conviction. “We got beat by a ruthless side,” Robinson said.

“We made mistakes and got punished for them.

“We didn’t have the belief that we’ve shown in training, in the second half. We didn’t have that belief in the first half to play. If you don’t get ownership of the game, it’s difficult to get out.

“So, at 2–0, we hit the crossbar, and the fine lines in football, they go up the other end, we make a mistake, effectively the game’s over.

“To an extent, I get a response and they show that they can pass the ball under pressure and they can play, and they are good players. And that’s a positive I have to take from it.

“Our season won’t be defined by getting beat by Celtic. Am I disappointed? Of course I am. I know the team are better than what they’ve showed.

“But it’s up to me, it’s my fault that they haven’t got the belief to do what they did in the second half and be brave. It’s too late at 3–0 down, and I take full responsibility.”

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Escape to Jamaica for 7 nights with a stay at the stunning 5* Sandals Ochi in Ocho Rios.

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We’re giving Premium subscribers a chance to enjoy a luxury five-star holiday for two in Jamaica!

The lucky winner can look forward to relaxing at the five-star Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in a standard room on an All-Inclusive basis, surrounded by tropical gardens, beautiful pools and that unmistakable laid-back Jamaican atmosphere. Spend your days soaking up the sunshine, enjoying the resort’s restaurants and bars, or simply relaxing with a cocktail in hand.

The prize will also include round-trip flights from London (via Miami) as well as resort transfers to and from the airport.

Donald Trump praised Pete Hegseth over the most recent strikes on Iran, as the Pentagon chief began extending troop deployments, suggesting the war could continue into 2027. 

The US unleashed around a dozen strikes on Iranian radar systems and military assets along a 300-mile stretch of the coast of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. 

Iranian media reported that an American missile tore through a wedding party, killing at least four civilians, including two women and two children. 

Despite Hegseth being under fire in recent weeks and the departure of the Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, Trump appeared to relish in his work, praising him in a speech in the White House Rose Garden Wednesday.

‘You did a good job in Iran last night, by the way. You knocked the hell out of them,’ he said to applause. 

‘We’re winning that one very big by the way, in case you didn’t notice. We have to say it because the press hates to say it,’ he added, though he noted the New York Times said that Iran is ‘not looking too good.’ 

‘They don’t have any aircraft, anything having to do with aircraft or ships. They’re all at the bottom of the sea or at the bottom of a runway,’ Trump said of Tehran, adding that the country’s technology and weapons are decimated.

The war, however, could be going on a little while longer after the Pentagon began extending troop deployments overseas at Hegseth’s request, The Wall Street Journal reported. 

With Hegseth under fire in recent weeks over the departure of the Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, Trump appeared to relish in his work, praising him in a speech in the White House Rose Garden Wednesday

The military is planning to keep 50,000 soldiers in the area to help with missions that involve intercepting missiles and protecting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. 

But the Pentagon has already received criticism for US troops having to spend a long period of time on deployment.

The USS Abraham Lincoln on Wednesday docked at a Thai resort town following an extended deployment of more than 250 days, in which servicemen faced grueling conditions.

The Navy aircraft carrier stopped in the resort city of Pattaya, where the 5,000 sailors and Marines on board will have the chance to unwind before heading back to the United States.

Sources told WSJ that the strategy gives Trump options going forward with Iran but does potentially create further strain on American soldiers and their families. 

A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment to WSJ but said they provide Trump with options. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Pentagon, US Central Command and the White House for comment. 

As Tehran continues to hit back, Trump has discussed a plan to declare the war over with senior aides.

The military is planning to keep 50,000 soldiers in the area to help with missions that involve intercepting missiles and protecting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz

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Around a dozen strikes targeted Iranian radar systems and military assets along a 300-mile stretch of the coast of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday 

He reportedly believes that the economic sanctions he’s placed on Iran will force them to finally shut down its nuclear program. 

Amid speculation about his next move, ABC News suggested Tuesday Trump was trying to make Tehran restart peace negotiations. Trump dismissed the idea in a Truth Social post.

‘I’m not trying to force Iran to the bargaining table, as ABC Fake News reported. I couldn’t care less if they sign a worthless, to them, agreement,’ he wrote. 

‘I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing. They are just playing out the inevitable.’

Trump then issued a missive to the Iranian people to take down their repressive regime. 

‘When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?’

Iranian state media reported strikes on the country’s oil-rich Qeshm Island. Explosions were also reported in the southern port cities of Bandar Abbas and Chabahar. 

Iran retaliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claiming that it had launched a ballistic missile strike on Camp Titin, a US Marine base in Jordan. There was no immediate confirmation from the Pentagon.

Iranian media reported that an American missile tore through a wedding party , killing at least four civilians, including two women and two children 

The latest exchange comes after Iranian strikes over the weekend on US bases in Jordan, with US Central Command stating it is ‘hitting back hard’ against the regime. 

Trump warned Iran against responding to the latest attack: ‘If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran!’ 

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the regime’s hardline military force, attacked two commercial vessels attempting to transit the strait late Monday night. 

The latest strikes come despite Trump repeatedly claiming Iran’s military had been destroyed and the war was over, raising questions about why the US is still targeting its radar and military assets months later.

The US and Iran signed a 14-point ceasefire back in June that had been mediated by Pakistan. Both sides were given 60 days to negotiate an end to the war. 

Fighting restarted within weeks, and the deal ran out on August 17 with nothing to replace it.

There are no talks going on now. Trump has said none are planned as refuses to extend the ceasefire. 

The White House is demanding that Iran surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium and dismantle its nuclear program. Tehran has refused to make concessions unless the US lifts its naval blockade and allows Iran to control the strait.

Hegseth has faced calls to be fired after the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll (pictured), who clashed with the Pentagon chief over his tenure

Driscoll has disagreed with Hegseth on a number of issues, including the Defense Secretary’s moves to block the promotion of several Army officers and the April ouster of a key Driscoll ally

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‘They’re not going to make the kind of a deal that I feel is necessary,’ he said in the Oval Office back in August after the ceasefire ended.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday the US would ‘economically asphyxiate this regime’ until it wants a deal. 

Trump followed-up by vowing to launch a new ‘economic D-Day’ on Iran unless they agree to dismantle their nuclear program. 

Six months in, neither side has budged despite repeated US and Israeli strikes.

Republican Senator Thom Tillis ripped Hegseth as ‘inept’ amid leadership turmoil at the Pentagon.

Tillis dropped the dig in a lengthy tweet calling for President Trump to replace Hegseth following the resignation of Driscoll, who clashed with the Pentagon chief over his tenure.

He said that Hegseth did not have ‘ the same priorities and forward-thinking’ as Driscoll and was instead losing ‘talented leaders,’ creating a ‘void at the top of our military ranks.’

Tillis then accused Hegseth of ‘ginning up culture wars instead of soberly attending to the vital work of our national defense and the health and well-being of our fighting force,’ making two allusions to alcohol.

Republican Senator Thom Tillis ripped Hegseth as ‘inept’ amid leadership turmoil at the Pentagon 

He said that Hegseth did not have ‘ the same priorities and forward-thinking’ as Driscoll and was instead losing ‘talented leaders,’ creating a ‘void at the top of our military ranks’ 

‘I have never witnessed more inept management of the brave men and women who serve our country,’ he said of Hegseth, whom Tillis added is ‘intimidated by competence.’

Tillis also urged Trump to ‘find a new leader at the Pentagon who will retain and empower our military talent rather than diminish it.’ 

Driscoll said his last full day as US Army secretary was Wednesday, but his social media post offered no explanation for why he is stepping down after 18 months as the service’s civilian leader.

Tensions between Driscoll and Hegseth have been widely reported, and some of Driscoll’s allies in the Army were ousted this year by Trump’s Pentagon chief.

Driscoll spoke with Trump on the current state of the military before he submitted his resignation this week.

The Washington Post reported that Trump encouraged Driscoll to stay at least through the midterms.

The secretary met with Trump last week and unloaded his concerns about how the Secretary of Defense is managing the Army, The Atlantic reported. 

Hegseth has purged more than a dozen senior officers, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff General James Slife and the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse

St John the Evangelist Church, on Church Street, will open its doors to the public on Friday (September 4) and Saturday (September 5) from 10am to 4pm.

Visitors will be able to see displays of memorabilia and historic artefacts, listen to organ music and enjoy refreshments throughout the day.

There will also be a raffle, while commemorative fine bone china mugs and pens will be available to buy, with proceeds helping to support the church and its anniversary celebrations.

The weekend will culminate in a Service of Celebration at 2pm on Sunday (September 6).

Bishop David, Archdeacon Simon Cook, the Mayor of Bolton and local councillors are expected to attend.

St John’s Church (Image: St John’s Church)

The Grade II listed church has a history stretching back to the early 19th century.

St John the Evangelist was one of the first churches to be erected by the Waterloo Charity Commissioners, using part of a £1 million grant made by the Government.

Its foundation stone was laid on March 4, 1824, by Benjamin Rawson, who donated the land.

The church was built at a cost of £8,000 and originally provided 620 free seats and 328 rented seats.

It was consecrated on September 9, 1826, by the Right Reverend Charles James Bloomfield DD, Bishop of Chester.

The church’s first baptism took place on October 15, 1826, conducted by the Rev R C Burton. The children were Thomas and Eliza Tildsley.

The first interment took place on the same day and was that of John Arstall, a two-and-a-half-year-old child.

It was more than a century before the church recorded its first marriage.

On August 2, 1930, Thomas Pedley and Mary Robinson were married in a ceremony conducted by the Rev T A Ashworth.

By the time of the church’s centenary, there had been 12,348 burials in the churchyard, 21,000 baptisms and 5,500 marriages.

‘£200 for 200 years’ (Image: St John’s Church)

Over the years, the church has also faced a number of challenges.

During a severe storm in 1991, the stone cross on top of the chancel wall fell to the ground.

Subsidence had affected the stability of the east wall and, in 1993, a ten-year programme of restoration work began.

The restoration project cost £400,000 and was aimed at fully restoring the church.

St John the Evangelist has also played a part in more recent local history.

In 2008, the church was used as a filming location for the BBC drama All the Small Things, starring Sarah Lancashire.

Today, the Grade II listed building continues to require costly repairs and maintenance.

The church is currently raising funds for work to its roof and lychgate.

The anniversary celebrations will continue beyond this weekend, with a 200th Anniversary book due to go on sale in October.

A remarkable, record-breaking summer window slammed shut on Tuesday night as the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all finalised their squads for the next few months. For the Gunners, the dream of Julian Alvarez never materialised, as Deadline Day saw outgoings and no incomings. Gabriel Martinelli’s move to Saudi Arabia is still to be confirmed.