Holborn and St Pancras by-election result live: Polanski’s Greens beaten by Labour in Starmer’s old seat

Holborn and St Pancras by-election result live: Polanski’s Greens beaten by Labour in Starmer’s old seat Polanski insists he will carry on as Green Party leader as Labour win seat - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join todayAlready a member? Log in Labour have swept to victory in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election in a boost for Andy Burnham and a blow for Zack Polanski. Sir Keir Starmer’s replacement in the north London constituency was declared at around 3am, with Labour’s candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali winning 12,292 votes. The result marks a considerable blow to Green Party leader Mr Polanski, who came in second place with 8,928 votes – despite fighting a major campaign in the area. The by-election could have been a defining moment for Mr Polanski’s leadership, but he now faces mounting questions over his tenure in the wake of splits within the party over it’s conference motion declaring ‘Zionism is racism’. Bur Mr Polanski was defiant in the moments after the declaration, telling reporters: “Of course I'm going to carry on as leader of the Green Party.” The turnout of 38.76 per cent in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election was relatively low, trailing the 47.62 per cent seen in Gorton and Denton in February, which Hannah Spencer won for the Greens, taking the seat from Labour. Polanski: Running in by-election wasn't a mistake Zack Polanski has insisted running in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election wasn’t a mistake. Asked if he regretted standing in the seat after losing to Labour, he told Sky News: “It's an election. I'm perfectly happy to stand in an election.” And asked if he thought it was a mistake, he said: “I don't think it was a mistake at all. I think it's been an opportunity to present the Green Party values, to talk about rent controls, tackling the climate crisis, nationalising Thames Water. “It's been amazing to speak to people in Holborn and St Pancras. I've really enjoyed the last few weeks.” Polanski addresses Green zionism motion Zack Polanski has publicly addressed his party’s controversial motion to declare ‘Zionism is racism’ for the first time. The Green leader was asked about the motion in the moments after it was officially declared he had lost the Holborn and St Pancras by-election He told GB News: “I grew up in a Zionist household, and I grew up with the idea that that region was a land without people and the people without a land. “And as I've educated myself, learned, discovered. I don't believe that's true. And what we're seeing is an ongoing genocide and the displacement of the Palestinian people. I believe that's clearly racist.” Asked if he supported a two-state solution, he said: “I believe that it's not our role to decide, but what I do believe is that any state should have equal rights, and that shouldn't be based on faith or religion. “That should be based on international human law and upholding equal rights for everyone.” Analysis: By-election loss lands Polanski in a tough spot Zack Polanski’s week has gone from bad to worse in the wake of tonight’s result in Holborn and St Pancras. Despite making huge gains in the capital in May’s local elections and fighting a major campaign, Mr Polanski failed to win Sir Keir Starmer’s old seat. The result will raise wider questions over the future of his tenure, with pressure likely to mount from inside Green ranks over his ability to lead the party to electoral success whilst Labour enjoys gains under Andy Burnham’s leadership. Mr Polanski was defiant in the moments after he officially lost the contest, telling reporters he will “of course” carry on as leader. But he remains under pressure, especially in the wake of criticism over the Green Party’s motion declaring Zionism is racism, which Labour and Liberal Democrat activists said had led to the party losing support in recent days. Caroline Lucas, the three-time former Green Party leader who was its first MP said people should “see what happens in the coming days and weeks” when asked about his future on BBC Newsnight. She said: “Should he stand down? I think let’s just see what happens in the next, in the coming days and weeks.” Labour's new MP declares 'diversity is our strength' as she wins by-election Labour’s new MP for Holborn and St Pancras Sagal Abdi-Wali said her victory was a testament to the success of diversity in the borough. She said she wanted to bring Thames Water into public ownership, tackle rough sleeping, and create more opportunities for young people. Ms Abdi-Wali, who is also the leader of Camden Council, said: “I hope this moment also says something about who gets to belong, for people who look like me, I hope they see themselves reflected in this place and know that their path too belongs here. This is Camden, and this is Britain.” In a part of the speech applauded by losing Green Party candidate Zack Polanski, she said: “I want to talk about some of the experiences that I’ve had over the last few weeks. “In Camden, our diversity is a strength and our cohesion has been too hard won to take for granted. “I’ve watched people across Camden work to build communities where difference is not something to fear, but something to value. We cannot allow that work, built over generations, to be casually undone by those who seek to divide us. “We have a responsibility to defend what we’ve built, and pass it on. Hope is not naive. Without hope there is nothing to build on, and nothing to build for. People need to believe that politics can make their lives better and that their communities can thrive and that tomorrow can be better than today.” She added: “That is what this victory represents. Winning not by making people afraid of each other, but by bringing people together.” Green Party hails 'incredible result' despite loss The Green Party said it achieved an “incredible result” with the increased vote share Zack Polanski brought the party in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, despite him losing to Labour. A Green Party spokesperson said: “Achieving a huge swing in one of Labour’s safest seats – an increase of 22 per cent in vote share since the general election – is an incredible result for the Green Party, and during a honeymoon period for the new PM. “We are disappointed to miss out tonight but any ideas of a return to the cosy two-party system is just wishful thinking on the part of the establishment. We are here to stay and just getting started. “The voters have delivered a message to the Labour Government today. They want real change; they want rent controls, they want to see an end to the privatised water rip-off; and they want to see justice for Palestinians. “On the climate crisis, Labour will not have an easy political ride if they bring in new North Sea drilling.” Tories beat Reform in boost for Badenoch It won’t be the main story of tonight’s by-election count tonight, but it is the Conservative result which is amongst the most surprising. Kemi Badenoch’s party did better than expected in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election - beating their main rival Reform UK. Tory candidate Ewan Cameron gained over 7 per cent of the vote, while Reform UK’s Peter Newman fielding 5.92 per cent. It’s a sign of the party’s changing fortunes under Mrs Badenoch’s leadership, whilst Nigel Farage’s party continues to dip in the polls amid a series of financial scandals. Polanski vows to 'carry on' as leader of Greens despite defeat Zack Polanski is speaking to reporters now in Camden after the votes were declared and his Green Party came second to Labour. Polanski was running in his home seat and hoping to be the Greens’ first ever MP in London, but has fallen over 3,000 votes short. He has just told reporters he has no plans to quit as leader, saying: “Of course I'm going to carry on as leader of the Green Party.” Holborn and St Pancras by-election vote count in full - Sagal Abdi-Wali (Lab) 12,292 - Zack Polanski (Green) 8,928 - Ewan Cameron (C) 1,922 - Peter Newman (Reform) 1,612 - Patrick Stillman (LD) 924 - Tyler Johnson (Restore) 692 - George Galloway (WPB) 314 - Briony Kapoor (Rejoin) 236 - Barmy Brunch (Loony) 87 - Helen Spiby-Vann (CPA) 63 - Clare Fischer (Climate) 51 - Ben Walker (UKIP) 51 - Ketankumar Pipaliya (Voice) 23 - Jonathan Silberman (Comm Lge) 9 - Tom Darwood (ND) 7 Breaking: Labour secure comfortable victory over Greens in Holborn and St Pancras Labour have swept to victory in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election in a boost for Andy Burnham and a devastating blow for Zack Polanski. Sir Keir Starmer’s replacement in the north London constituency was declared at around 3am, with Labour’s candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali winning 12,292 of the vote. The result marks a considerable blow to Green Party leader Mr Polanski, who came in second place with 8,928 votes – despite fighting a major campaign in the area. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments