# Green leader's multilingual campaign stirs UK election row

> Zack Polanski's videos in Urdu and French spark debate over language use in British politics.
- Title: Green leader's multilingual campaign stirs UK election row
- Summary: Zack Polanski's videos in Urdu and French spark debate over language use in British politics. A candidate's choice to campaign in minority languages has…
- Keywords: zack polanski, green party, holborn and st pancras, by-election, urdu language, french language, multilingual campaigning, keir starmer, london, 2026 election, katie lam, helen whately
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16135641/Green-leader-Zack-Polanski-French-votes-cringe-Holborn-San-Pancras-video.html
- Published: 2026-09-16T10:38:41+00:00
- Read time: 3 min
- Topics: zack polanski, green party, holborn and st pancras, by-election, urdu language, french language, multilingual campaigning, keir starmer, london, 2026 election, katie lam, helen whately
## Green leader campaigns in Urdu
Zack Polanski released a video in Urdu for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, saying the Greens have forced Labour policy changes and asking voters to back him on October 8.
## Urdu speakers are rare in the seat
Census data shows only 156 Holborn residents speak Urdu as their main language, compared to 2,488 French speakers. Just 1 percent of the constituency is Pakistani.
## Tories attack the Urdu campaign
Conservative shadow ministers Katie Lam and Helen Whately criticized the video, saying campaigning in foreign languages is divisive and politicians should use English.

> Politicians should be campaigning in the languages of the United Kingdom.
## Polanski responds with French video
After the backlash, Polanski released a new video in French appealing for votes, appearing to mock his critics by using a language with far more speakers in the constituency.
## French accent draws more mockery
In the French video, Polanski apologized for his accent, which observers compared to the BBC comedy Allo Allo from the 1980s and 1990s.

> Thank you, and apologies for my pronunciation.
## Greens defend diversity approach
A Green Party spokesman said democracy should not discriminate by language and that Holborn reflects London's diversity. They said reaching Urdu speakers in Urdu makes sense.

> The Greens believe that democracy doesn't discriminate by languages spoken.
## Polanski replaces Starmer in seat
Polanski is running for the Holborn and St Pancras seat vacated by Sir Keir Starmer. Labour has held the seat since it was created 43 years ago.
## Green pressure claims credit
In both videos, Polanski claimed the Greens have forced Labour to make policy U-turns and said he wants to continue holding the government to account.
## Bengali speakers outnumber Urdu
About 10 percent of Holborn voters are Bangladeshi, but Polanski did not campaign in Bengali, the language of Bangladesh.
## Katie Lam calls practice poisonous
The Tory local government spokesman tweeted that appealing to group-based grievances through foreign language campaigns is poisonous and should be banned.

> Attempting to appeal to group-based grievances by campaigning in foreign languages is poisonous.
## Helen Whately's concern
The shadow work and pensions secretary told Times Radio she is concerned about campaigning in other languages and expects candidates in London to campaign in English.

> I'm concerned to see this campaigning in other languages.
## Greens embrace bilingual voters
The Green Party spokesman noted that many people are bilingual and said the party is proud to reach voters in as many languages as possible.

> Many people are bilingual.
## October 8 election date set
Both videos urged voters to support Polanski on October 8, the date of the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
## Diversity of London highlighted
The Green Party said Holborn and St Pancras is a true reflection of London's diversity and the country's diversity, which they choose to embrace and celebrate.

> Holborn and St Pancras is a true reflection of the diversity of London and of our country.
## Campaign strategy backfires
The Urdu video drew criticism from Conservative politicians, prompting Polanski to release a French version that appeared designed to mock his detractors.
## Language debate in British politics
The row highlights a broader tension in UK politics over how to balance representing diverse communities with maintaining a shared national political discourse.
## Key takeaway

A candidate's choice to campaign in minority languages has become a flashpoint in debates about representation, diversity, and what counts as proper political conduct in Britain.