Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green Party, is facing an internal contest within his party for the chance to become the candidate in the upcoming by-election for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency. This by-election comes after Sir Keir Starmer, the former leader of the Labour Party, left Parliament. The challenge is led by Hamza Chowdhury, a local councillor who represents the Holborn and Covent Garden ward. Chowdhury argues that the constituency needs an MP who is consistently present and engaged with the community throughout the year, rather than someone who only becomes active during an election campaign and then leaves once the results are in. Polanski, who is also a member of the London Assembly, has expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to represent the area in Parliament. He claims to have lived and worked in the region for many years, giving him a deep understanding of the local community. The Green Party members in the constituency are expected to decide on their candidate by Thursday, with the outcome to be announced the following day. The by-election is significant because the Holborn and St Pancras seat has been held by Labour since its creation in 1983. In the most recent general election in 2024, Sir Keir Starmer won the seat with 48.9 per cent of the vote, followed by independent candidate Andrew Feinstein with 18.9 per cent and the Greens in third place with 10.4 per cent. The Conservatives, Reform, and Liberal Democrats came in fourth through sixth places, respectively. The strong showing of independent and Green candidates in the 2024 election may have been influenced by some former Labour voters who were critical of Sir Keir Starmer's position on Israel's actions in Gaza during the conflict with Hamas. Additionally, the Green Party has seen success in recent local elections, particularly in the London Borough of Camden, which includes the Holborn and St Pancras constituency. However, the date for the by-election has not yet been officially announced.