GREEN PARTY CONCEDES DEFEAT IN HOLBORN AND ST PANCRAS BY-ELECTION

The Green Party has conceded defeat in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. A party spokesperson said it was now clear the Greens would finish in a close second place. Leader Zack Polanski had campaigned heavily in the constituency, hoping to win the seat and become the Greens' first MP in London. That ambition has not been realised. Camden Council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali is expected to be declared the constituency's new MP within the hour.

The seat was previously held by Sir Keir Starmer, referred to in coverage of the contest as a former prime minister. Reporting on the campaign described the constituency as divided, with some voters saying they were casting ballots in opposition to Sir Keir. Polanski had sought to use the by-election to break Labour's hold on the seat. Counting took place across two floors of the count venue. Organisers had expected a declared result between 2:30am and 4am, though they said a recount could alter that timing.

The result is expected to raise questions over Polanski's leadership of the Greens, with pressure reported to be building within the party over his ability to deliver electoral success elsewhere. That pressure comes as Labour has been reported making gains under Andy Burnham's leadership. Coverage of the outcome described it as a boost for the prime minister, said to be rebuilding Labour's standing after poll ratings fell during Sir Keir Starmer's time in Downing Street. The formal declaration in Holborn and St Pancras had not been made at the time of the Green Party's concession, with Sagal Abdi-Wali's confirmation as the seat's new MP expected to follow within the hour.