Zack Polanski, seeking the Green Party nomination for the Holborn and St Pancras by‑election, has been confronted with a challenge from within his own party after Camden councillor Hamza Chowdhury declared he is also standing for the candidacy.
Chowdhury, a Green representative on Camden council, said he had the backing of most of his fellow Green councillors in the borough and argued the constituency needed a local representative rather than "a politician you'll only see on a leaflet." His intervention came as the date for the by‑election was set for 8 October.
The vacancy in Holborn and St Pancras followed Keir Starmer's formal resignation as an MP. With the poll date now confirmed, the Greens must determine their candidate for the contest in a seat long associated with the Labour leader.
The development introduces an internal contest for a party that has been preparing to present a challenge in the central London constituency. Party members and local activists will now have to weigh the claims of a locally based councillor against those of Polanski as they move toward selecting a nominee ahead of the October by‑election.