Zack Polanski confirms he will stand in by-election for Keir Starmer’s seat
The Green Party leader has said he is ready to fight this by-election
Green Party Zack Polanski has confirmed that he will run in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
Polanski had previously said he would stand in a by-election if a seat became vacant in London and has now announced he is ready to fight one.
The high-profile contest has been triggered by the ex-prime minister Keir Starmer stepping down as an MP earlier this week.
As reported by the Camden New Journal, Polanski said he was “excited” by the prospect of representing Holborn and St Pancras in Parliament.
He told the local newspaper: “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.”
Polanski added: “We know that the Greens can win here, and by electing me, voters will have someone who will always fight their corner – never scared of big donors or the party whip.”
The Green party leader said that “too often Labour has stood up for corporations and big money”, adding “I will stand up for people struggling to pay their bills”.
At the 2024 general election, Andrew Feinstein stood as an independent and came second behind Starmer with almost 19% of the vote.
It is unclear whether Feinstein plans to stand again. However, Polanski’s announcement suggests he may not, given that he teamed up with the Greens and Your Party at last year’s local elections to avoid splitting the vote.
LFF has contacted Feinstein for comment.
Labour has yet to confirm its candidate. However, there is speculation that journalist Paul Mason, who previously backed Jeremy Corbyn before becoming a staunch supporter of Starmer’s project, could run as the party’s candidate.
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
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