Greens hint that Zack Polanski might stand in Keir Starmer’s seat
A party spokesperson said Zack Polanski had always wanted to be an MP in London
The Greens have hinted that party leader Zack Polanski may intend on standing in Holborn and St Pancras, after Keir Starmer announced his resignation as an MP.
According to Sky News journalist Sam Coates, a Green source has indicated that Polanski is weighing up standing.
A Green Party Spokesman told Coates: “Zack has always made it clear he would like to be a London MP. London has been his home for over 20 years’.”
Polanski has been a London Assembly member since 2021.
While Holborn and St Pancras is a Labour stronghold, the Greens did well in the wards that make up the London constituency at May’s local elections.
Camden Council, part of Starmer’s constituency, lost 17 seats in the local elections held in May while the Greens gained 10.
Earlier today, Keir Starmer, who was ousted as prime minister by Andy Burnham in July, announced that he would be step down as Holborn and St Pancras’ MP.
In a statement to the Camden New Journal newspaper, Starmer said it had been a “huge honour and privilege” to represent the constituency for 11 years but he would now turn his focus to “international affairs”.
Starmer did not say what is next role will be, but said he plans to focus on defence, security, trade, technology and combating violence against women and girls.
Restore Britain’s Rupert Lowe has said his party will stand in the by-election, which will likely split Reform’s vote.
A Holborn and St Pancras constituency projection estimates the following vote share:
Labour: 39.6% (-9.3)
Green: 18.9% (+8.4)
Independent* (Andrew Feinstein): 14.0% (-7.5)
Reform: 12.6% (+6.5)
Conservative: 6.9% (-0.3)
Lib Dem: 6.4% (+0.6)
Sienna Rodgers, deputy editor at the House Magazine, has noted that Andrew Feinstein, who stood as an independent at the 2024 general election and came second with almost 19% of the vote, set up a party – the Camden People’s Alliance – last year and coordinated with the Greens and Your Party at the local elections.
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
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