Zack Polanski confirms he DOES want to be Green candidate in by-election for Starmer’s old seat… but could local party block him?

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.  

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.’

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.

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.

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.

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.