# Green Party loses Holborn seat after Zionism row

> Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali wins the by-election as voters reject Green leader Zack Polanski over party controversy and local concerns.
- Title: Green Party loses Holborn seat after Zionism row | Shortify
- Summary: Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali wins the by-election as voters reject Green leader Zack Polanski over party controversy and local concerns. Labour retained Holborn…
- Keywords: holborn and st pancras, by-election, green party, zack polanski, sagal abdi-wali, labour, zionism, andy burnham, politics, news, Green, Party
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/holborn-st-pancras-by-election-polanski-labour-greens-zionism-b3064121.html
- Published: 2026-10-09T14:55:38+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: holborn and st pancras, by-election, green party, zack polanski, sagal abdi-wali, labour, zionism, andy burnham, politics, news
## Greens challenge Labour in London
Voters in Holborn and St Pancras have been tempted by the prospect of a Green MP after more than four decades of Labour representation in the inner London constituency.
## Polanski's Zionism vote stirs controversy
Green leader Zack Polanski faced severe pressure after the party voted to classify Zionism as racism on Sunday, just days before the by-election.
## Labour wins with 12,292 votes
Sagal Abdi-Wali was declared Sir Keir Starmer's replacement at around three am on Friday after she secured twelve thousand two hundred ninety-two votes. Polanski came second with eight thousand nine hundred twenty-eight votes.
## Voter: Greens became dysfunctional
Dan Dexter, thirty-eight, a paediatrician who voted Labour, said the Greens had become the new version of the dysfunctional old left side of the Labour Party, especially after the Zionism vote.

> They're sectarian, I feel, especially what happened on the weekend.
## Abdi-Wali's community ties swayed voters
Dexter was drawn to Abdi-Wali, who was the leader of Camden council, because of her involvement in the community. She seemed inclusive and was from the area.

> She seems inclusive, I like her story, she's from here, she's been involved in community politics.
## Voter: Polanski showed immaturity
Charlotte Eastwood, thirty-four, was torn between Greens and Labour but chose Labour. She said Polanski had made big mistakes recently and showed immaturity.

> I think Zack Polanski has made a few really big mistakes recently, and it just shows me that he's still a little bit immature.
## Local issues trumped national politics
Eastwood prioritised finding an MP who cared about the local constituency over national games in Whitehall. She wanted representation focused on local community needs.

> I'd rather have an MP that cares about us and wants to spend time thinking about our area, our constituency, what we want, not playing games in Whitehall.
## Green voter felt let down by Labour
Alison Thomas, seventy-two, a retired radiographer from Kentish Town, voted Green but described the result as very disappointing. She was fed up with Labour after empty promises and concerned by Burnham's pension plans.

> I've always paid my way. I worked hard [and I am] worried about what will happen with pensions.
## Jewish Greens chair calls for resignation
Vivien Lichtenstein, chair of Jewish Greens, criticised Polanski for not taking part in the debate on the party's Zionism motion, saying he made a big mistake.
## Polanski vows to stay as leader
Despite his defeat and the controversy surrounding his response to the Zionism vote, Polanski has vowed to stay on as Green Party leader.
## Some voters backed Lib Dems in protest
Reanne Reiss, thirty-five, voted Lib Dem as a protest vote. She disliked Polanski and his ideology, and felt Labour needed change despite Burnham's leadership.

> The Greens, for me, I don't like Zack. For Labour, I think we need something different. So I went for something different.
## Key takeaway

Labour retained Holborn and St Pancras after four decades of holding the seat, as voters rejected Green leader Zack Polanski following his party's vote to classify Zionism as racism.