Labour selects Sagal Abdi-Wali for Starmer’s former seat
The Camden Council leader will contest the Holborn and St Pancras byelection on 8 October, with Green leader Zack Polanski likely to stand.
Labour has selected Sagal Abdi-Wali as its candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras byelection, following Keir Starmer’s departure from the north London seat.
Abdi-Wali, a former child refugee from Somalia, became leader of Camden Council in May. She was first elected as a Labour councillor in 2022 and previously chaired the local constituency Labour Party.
The Guardian Politics report said Abdi-Wali is likely to face Green leader Zack Polanski, although local Green members have not yet formally selected him. Voting is scheduled for 8 October.
Starmer had represented the constituency since 2015. His majority fell from nearly 28,000 to 11,500 at the last election, when the Greens finished third behind Labour and independent candidate Andrew Feinstein.
Feinstein has since said he will not stand, while the campaign group that emerged from his candidacy is expected to support the Greens. Labour and the Greens are preparing substantial campaigning operations in the constituency.
Labour campaign claims describe Abdi-Wali as having a record on council homes, homelessness and antisocial behaviour. The selection comes as both parties seek to consolidate support ahead of a closely watched contest.
