Key facts
- Green Party leader Zack Polanski lost the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
- The by-election was held to replace former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- Polanski's decision to stand was described as a 'high risk, high reward' strategy.
- The Green Party recently experienced internal division over a motion declaring Zionism is racism.
- Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas declined to endorse Polanski's candidacy.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has lost the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, failing in his gamble to secure a parliamentary seat. The vote, held to replace former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, was seen as a high-stakes battle for Polanski to boost his party's momentum.
Polanski's campaign faced challenges, including internal party divisions. A significant rupture occurred when members backed a motion declaring Zionism is racism, a stance that drew criticism from senior party figures, including former leader Caroline Lucas. Lucas publicly declined to back Polanski's candidacy and questioned his leadership following the vote.
Despite Polanski's efforts to turbocharge Green Party membership since becoming leader, this by-election marked his first personal electoral judgment by voters. Allies had framed his candidacy as essential for any route to victory, drawing parallels to Jeremy Corbyn's 2024 campaign. However, analysis from pollsters suggests the swing towards the Greens was not as substantial as in previous electoral successes, such as the win in Gorton and Denton earlier in the year.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham's party was reportedly cheered by a shift onto political ground long occupied by the Greens, adding another layer of difficulty to Polanski's bid.