Labour Defeats Greens in London By-Election as Sagal Abdi-Wali Wins Starmer’s Former Seat

Labour Party candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali has won the Holborn and St Pancras parliamentary by-election in London, defeating Green Party leader Zack Polanski in a closely watched contest that offers a boost to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Abdi-Wali secured 12,292 votes, while Polanski finished second with 8,928 votes, giving Labour a majority of 3,364 in the election held on Thursday, October 8, 2026.

The result, announced on Friday, October 9, allows Labour to retain the constituency previously represented by former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who resigned his parliamentary seat in September after leaving office.

Although Labour emerged victorious, the result also showed the growing challenge posed by the Green Party, which significantly increased its support compared with the 2024 general election.

Sagal Abdi-Wali’s Victory Marks a Personal Milestone

For Abdi-Wali, the victory represents more than a political win. The Labour candidate, who leads Camden Council and arrived in the United Kingdom as a child refugee from Somalia, will now represent the constituency in the House of Commons.

Her background also featured prominently in her message after the result was announced, as she spoke about unity, hope and the importance of protecting the communities that make up British society.

Abdi-Wali said her victory was a defeat for “those who seek to divide us”, adding that voters had chosen hope during the campaign.

She also stressed that winning the election was only the beginning, saying it was now time to deliver on the promises made to residents.

Among the issues she has highlighted are homelessness, the housing crisis, opportunities for young people and the future of public services. She has also expressed support for bringing Thames Water into public ownership.

Her election comes as British politics continues to debate immigration, the cost of living, public services and the country’s economic future.

Labour Gets a Boost Under Andy Burnham

The result represents an important early electoral test for Burnham, who succeeded Starmer as prime minister in July 2026.

Labour had faced growing pressure from parties on both the right and left, with Reform UK attracting voters dissatisfied with the political establishment and the Greens appealing to younger and left-leaning voters.

The Holborn and St Pancras contest therefore became an important measure of whether Labour could regain support from voters who had begun looking towards the Greens.

Abdi-Wali’s victory will provide encouragement for Labour, particularly as the government prepares for its next major political and economic challenges.

However, the result should not be interpreted as a complete rejection of the Greens. Polanski received 8,928 votes, a substantial increase from the 4,030 votes won by the Green Party candidate in the constituency at the 2024 general election.

The increase suggests that the Greens have established a stronger presence in an area that has long been associated with Labour.

Turnout was 38.76 per cent, lower than the 54.46 per cent recorded in the constituency during the 2024 general election.

This means the outcome offers a useful indication of the political mood in the constituency, but it does not necessarily predict how voters will behave in a nationwide election.

Zack Polanski Faces Questions After Defeat

For Polanski, the defeat is a setback in his effort to turn the Green Party’s growing popularity into greater representation in Parliament.

The Green leader had hoped to win the seat himself and strengthen his party’s challenge to Labour from the left. Instead, he finished behind Abdi-Wali despite the Greens’ significant increase in support.

The result has also placed renewed attention on controversy surrounding a motion passed at the Green Party’s recent annual conference that declared “Zionism is Racism”.

The motion called for the establishment of a single democratic Palestinian state across historic Palestine. It attracted criticism from Jewish organisations, other political parties and many Green lawmakers.

Polanski, who is Jewish, did not vote on the motion and subsequently faced questions about his response to the controversy.

Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas also expressed concern about what she regarded as a lack of leadership from Polanski over the issue. When asked whether he should remain leader, Lucas told the BBC that developments over the coming days and weeks should be allowed to unfold.

Despite the criticism, Polanski said he intended to remain in his position. He described the result as part of Burnham’s political honeymoon and argued that the Greens should now concentrate on holding the government accountable.

He also pointed towards the government’s upcoming budget, scheduled for October 28, as an opportunity to test whether Labour would deliver on its promises.

What the Result Means for British Politics

The Holborn and St Pancras by-election highlights the competing pressures facing Britain’s major political parties.

For Labour, retaining the seat provides an opportunity to rebuild confidence and demonstrate that it can win back voters who have drifted towards other parties.

For the Greens, the increased vote count offers evidence of their growing appeal, even though their leader failed to secure a parliamentary seat.

The contest also underlines the importance of political credibility. Voters are weighing parties’ promises on housing, public services, the economy, climate policy and Britain’s international relationships against their ability to deliver meaningful change.

Abdi-Wali now faces the task of turning her campaign commitments into tangible results for her constituents. Polanski, meanwhile, must decide how to build on his party’s increased support while addressing questions about its leadership and direction.

Ultimately, Labour’s victory gives Burnham a welcome boost, but it does not settle the wider political contest. With pressure continuing from both the left and right, the challenge for the government will be to convince voters that its policies can improve their everyday lives.

For Abdi-Wali, the immediate priority is clear: to represent her constituents and show that the hopes expressed during the campaign can translate into action.

Sources: Reuters, Cameroon Council, The Guardian