Green Party leader Zack Polanski confirms bid for Sir Keir Starmer's former seat

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has confirmed he wants to stand in the by-election brought about by Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as an MP.

Polanski, who is currently a London Assembly member but not a member of Parliament, said he was "so excited by the prospect" of being the first Green MP of Holborn and St Pancras.

The Greens are targeting the seat, until now a Labour stronghold, after coming second to Labour in the area in local elections earlier this year.

Sir Keir announced on Tuesday that he was quitting as MP for the London constituency, two months after he stood down as prime minister, setting up a challenging by-election for his successor Andy Burnham.

In comments to the Camden New Journal on Thursday morning, Polanski said: "I have lived and worked in this community over many years, I know it well and I love it.

"It represents so many of the things that make London so special. I am so excited by the prospect of representing this place in Parliament."

He added: "It's a clear fight between Labour and the Green Party."

The Green Party currently has five MPs.

In order to officially be the Green candidate for the seat, Polanski needs to be selected by local party members - something his comments suggest will happen.

But there have been reports in recent days of splits among local Green activists, some of whom are said to favour a Palestinian candidate or a pro-Gaza independent.

And it is currently unclear whether Andrew Feinstein, the independent runner-up to Sir Keir in the constituency at the 2024 general election, will stand too which could split the vote.

A date has not yet been set for the by-election.

Sir Keir had been MP for the area since 2015, but said he was quitting to focus on a role in international affairs.

The former prime minister had previously said he would stay on as an MP until the next UK general election, which is not due until 2029.

He said it was the "right time" for him to "pass the baton to a successor".

"I will now focus on other things and that will be international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world," he said, adding he would also continue his work combatting violence against women and girls.

Sir Keir became prime minister after winning a landslide majority at the 2024 election, but quit No 10 after pressure from Labour MPs to stand aside.

Labour has not decided its candidate to potentially take on Polanski, with applications closing on Friday.