RismadarVoice Reporters
September 3, 2026
Zack Polanski, leader of the United Kingdom’s Green Party, has announced his intention to contest the parliamentary seat being vacated by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, triggering a by-election in the London constituency of Holborn and St Pancras.
Polanski told the Camden New Journal that he would be the Green Party candidate for the left-leaning constituency, which Starmer represented for 11 years before announcing his resignation as a member of Parliament.
“I have lived and worked in this community over many years. I know it well, and I love it,” Polanski said.
“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.”
Starmer announced on Tuesday that he would step down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras, saying it was the “right time” to leave the seat.
His decision came six weeks after he resigned as UK prime minister following a loss of support among Labour MPs.
At the 2024 general election, an independent candidate who campaigned largely against Israel’s war in Gaza secured nearly 19 per cent of the vote in the constituency, while the Green candidate polled more than 10 per cent.
Polanski, who became Green Party leader a year ago, said Labour had failed to adequately represent ordinary people.
“Labour stands up for corporations and big money. I’ll stand up for people and our communities,” he wrote on X.
The Green Party has made gains among voters on Labour’s left under Polanski’s leadership, including a surprise by-election victory in Greater Manchester and strong national polling that has at times put the party at around 20 per cent.
However, Polanski’s personal ratings suffered after he criticised police officers over the arrest of a man accused of stabbing two Jewish people in north London in April, according to polling organisation YouGov.
