By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2026-09-03 04:31:32 | Updated at 2026-09-03 05:35:46
1 hour ago
Zack Polanski's bid to stand in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election could be thwarted by Green Party activists who prefer a Palestinian candidate or pro-Gaza independent.
The Green Party leader has been tipped to run in the seat after previously saying he would "almost certainly" stand in a London parliamentary by-election.
Sir Keir Starmer set the stakes for 2026's sixth major by-election after resigning from the Commons on Tuesday.
The London Assembly member now faces rival plans from Green activists and supporters planning to select a British Palestinian candidate or co-operate with Andrew Feinstein, a pro-Gaza independent who received 3,000 more votes than the Greens in 2024.
Mr Polanski, already out campaigning in the constituency, described the upcoming by-election as "referendum on ending rip-off Britain".
He also said it was the "the next chapter for myself, the Greens and for people across the country", fuelling further speculation he will run in the traditionally Labour-held seat.
Some in his party have other ideas on who to run.
WhatsApp messages, first seen by The Times, revealed Matt Barker, a former Green council candidate in Lewisham directly asked two members of a "Greens for Palestine" group chat if they would consider standing in the seat.
Zack Polanski is tipped to stand in the by-election caused by Sir Keir Starmer's resignation
"Would either of you, as British Palestinians, consider standing in Holborn & St Pancras? I'd love to help elect a Green Palestinian." he said.
Mr Barker urged other Palestinians in the group to put themselves forward as he offered to "help as much as I can to help win the seat".
Although the group chat is not officially associated with the party, members including deputy leader Mothin Ali are within it and it has backed a number of Green candidates.
It is said Mr Ali himself was considering putting his name forward for the constituency, but Green Party sources denied those claims.
Mothin Ali is a member of 'Greens for Palestine' and was said to be considering a run himself
"I can't help but feel that a Palestinian candidate that challenges Labour hard, even beats them, in Starmer's old seat would be epic," one participant in the group chat said.
Another said a "strong Palestinian campaigner" would be an ideal challenger, but it would ultimately fall to the local party to choose a candidate.
A Greens for Palestine spokesman, responding on behalf of the group's members, told The Times: "We believe it would be both right and just for a Palestinian MP to replace such an awful prime minister and member of parliament, so that the wrongs committed by this British government under Starmer's leadership might be laid bare and maybe even partially redressed.
"We would welcome the opportunity to see a Palestinian candidate stand in Holborn & St Pancras or in any future general election. This country is in urgent need of an anti-Zionist MP."
Andrew Feinstein came second in the 2024 election and some Green activists have raised co-operation with him
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Others argued the best path forward would be to co-operate with Mr Feinstein or urge him to join the Greens.
"Greens should co-operate with him to win against [the Labour Party] candidate. Greens won't win there," one member wrote.
Mr Feinstein has not confirmed if he is running, but said: "We must ensure that all progressive forces in Holborn & St Pancras unite in order to deliver an MP who represents us & will work for us. An MP who is the antithesis of everything that Starmer stands for."
The Greens have already formed an official WhatsApp community called "Team 6th Green MP" to strategise for the upcoming by-election, according to The Times.
Labour, meanwhile, has tipped Somali refugee and Camden Council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali to be its candidate.
The Green Party has been approached for comment.
