Labour selects Somali refugee as candidate for Holborn and St Pancras by-election

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The by-election was triggered after Sir Keir Starmer's decision to resign as an MP

A Somali refugee and council leader is Labour’s candidate in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.

Sagal Abdi-Wali, the leader of Camden Council, is Labour’s pick to replace Sir Keir Starmer as the MP in the London constituency.

Ms Abdi-Wali, who was born in Somalia and came to the UK with her family as a refugee, has spent more than a decade working with communities in Camden.

She has also worked as a school governor and community activist, alongside her role in local government.

Her selection comes as Labour prepares for a closely watched by-election in one of its traditional strongholds.

The contest was triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Keir Mather, who announced that he would step down from the Commons earlier this year.

Labour will be hoping to retain the seat and build on its previous support in the constituency, which has returned Labour MPs at every general election since its creation in 1983.

The party is expected to face a challenge from a number of opposition parties, with the campaign likely to attract significant attention ahead of polling day.

The by-election was triggered by Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to stand down as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, bringing an end to his 11-year tenure as the constituency’s representative.

Sir Keir, who had represented the north London seat since 2015, said he had decided it was the “right time” to leave the Commons and focus on new work in international affairs.

His departure came just two months after he resigned as Prime Minister following Labour’s defeat at the Makerfield by-election, which saw Andy Burnham return to Parliament.

The contest is expected to be one of the first major electoral tests for Burnham’s Labour Government, with the party seeking to hold a seat which Starmer won with a majority of 11,572 at the 2024 general election.

The Greens are hoping to turn the by-election into another breakthrough, with party leader Zack Polanski announcing that he intends to stand. Polanski, who is currently a London Assembly member, has said he is “so excited” by the prospect of becoming the first Green MP for Holborn and St Pancras.

However, Mr Polanski is facing an unusual challenge from within his own party.

Camden Green councillor Hamza Chowdhury has also put himself forward for the nomination, arguing that the constituency needs a local representative rather than a politician who only arrives during an election campaign.

Mr Chowdhury has received nominations from six other Camden Green councillors, including local Green group leader Lorna Russell.

Mr Polanski has welcomed the contest, saying he is “proud” to lead a party with democratic candidate selections.

The Greens are yet to formally select their candidate, meaning the party will have to choose between its national leader and a councillor with much stronger local ties.