Zack Polanski has been tipped to stand in Holborn & St Pancras as Labour launches its by-election war chest to see off the threat from the Green Party.
Mr Polanski, who is looking to claw back momentum behind the Green Party, hinted at contesting Sir Keir Starmer’s seat before the ex-Prime Minister announced his intention to resign yesterday.
The London Assembly Member is now considering his options after already snubbing the opportunity to stand in Gorton & Denton in February.
“There is something quite iconic about Keir Starmer’s seat being challenged by the insurgent leader of the Green Party,” an insider told The Evening Standard.
“Zack is weighing up his options at the moment. But the ultimate decision is up to the local party.”
Mr Polanski, who was out campaigning in Holborn & St Pancras last night, described the upcoming by-election as a “referendum on ending rip-off Britain”.
He also described the poll as “the next chapter for myself, the Greens and for people across the country”.
Mr Polanski last stood in a Westminster seat in 2019, with the 43-year-old securing just 728 votes and finishing in a distant fourth place.
Zack Polanski opened the door to standing in the seat in April
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Speaking in April, Mr Polanski said: “If there’s a by-election in London, I’ll almost certainly be running…Holborn and St Pancras, if Keir Starmer is going anywhere… generally around East London, I’ve lived there for a long time. I have a connection to the place.”
A Green Party spokesman added: “Zack has always made it clear he would like to be a London MP. London has been his home for over 20 years.”
The Green Party is expected to unveil its candidate at the end of the week.
Sir Keir, who was first elected as the MP for Holborn & St Pancras in 2015, retained the staunch Labour seat with a reduced majority of 11,572 in 2024.
Andrew Feinstein, an independent who challenged the ex-Prime Minister over Gaza, beat the Greens into second place.
Sir Keir Starmer quit as Prime Minister on July 20 | GETTY
However, Mr Feinstein has hinted at doing a deal with the Greens to deliver a by-election blow to Labour.
“We must ensure that all progressive forces in Holborn & St Pancras unite in order to deliver an MP who represents us and will work for us,” the South African activist said.
Meanwhile, Labour is preparing for the upcoming by-election battle by urging its members to fill the party’s coffers.
“This by-election could become a straight contest between Labour and the Greens,” an email sent to party members stated.
Tulip Siddiq lashed out at Labour MPs who failed to campaign in Camden
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GETTY“The first days of this campaign matter. What we raise today will determine how quickly we can put organisers on the ground, equip volunteers and start reaching voters.
“Will you chip in £3 today and be one of the first Labour supporters to power the campaign to keep Holborn and St Pancras Labour?”
Sir Keir announced his resignation just moments before Andy Burnham was due to address MPs in the House of Commons yesterday.
“Over the summer, I have had time to reflect and consider my future,” the ex-Prime Minister said.
The Green Party has seen a rise in membership under leader Zack Polanski | PA
“I have decided that now is the right time to step down as MP for Holborn & St Pancras and hand the baton over to a successor.
“It’s been an honour and privilege to represent the best constituency in the country since taking over from the great Frank Dobson 11 years ago.
“But it is now time to step aside and focus on other issues: international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world.”
However, Labour MPs have been left at loggerheads after Sir Keir resigned as the local MP.
Tulip Siddiq, a neighbouring MP who was forced to resign as Sir Keir’s Anti-Corruption Minister, said: “If I didn’t see you campaigning even once during the local elections in Camden, it’s probably best you don’t message me asking for help to run in Holborn and St Pancras.”
Andy Burnham saw off the threat from the Greens and Reform UK in Makerfield
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GETTYDespite Labour winning the seat in every election held since its creation in 1983, Labour’s support dropped to just 39 per cent in the 2026 Local Elections.
The Green Party secured 29 per cent of the vote, leaving the Tories on 10 per cent and Reform UK on nine per cent.
David Milliband had been touted as one of the Labour grandees considering a run in Holborn & St Pancras.
Ex-Westminster Council leader Adam Hug and former Camden Council leader Nash Ali have also emerged as potential candidates.
The Tories, Reform UK and Restore Britain have all declared they intend to stand candidates.