Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, has drawn criticism after releasing a campaign video in Urdu to engage Pakistani voters ahead of the Holborn & St Pancras by-election scheduled for October 8. In the video shared on social media, Polanski introduced himself and urged support for the Greens in the contest triggered last week by the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer as MP, following his departure as prime minister. Polanski was chosen as the Green candidate on Friday.
Holborn & St Pancras features a diverse electorate, including notable Asian and Muslim communities. Census data indicates approximately 10 percent of voters are Bangladeshi and 20 percent identify as Muslim, although the Pakistani population is comparatively small. The Green Party’s decision to campaign in Urdu follows previous controversy during the February Gorton & Denton by-election, where the party fielded its fifth MP, Hannah Spencer, and faced backlash for campaigning in multiple languages.
Senior political figures have voiced opposition to the Greens’ multilingual campaign strategies. Katie Lam, the shadow housing secretary, called for a ban on campaigning in foreign languages, describing it as an appeal to group-based grievances that she said was “poisonous.” She criticized Polanski’s Urdu video as emblematic of this practice. A senior cabinet minister previously accused the Greens of “whipping up hatred” by emphasizing Gaza-related issues in Gorton & Denton, where a significant Muslim demographic resides.
The Greens’ co-deputy leader, Mothin Ali, defended the approach, highlighting the importance of addressing Starmer’s record on Gaza during his speech at a recent event. He contrasted Polanski’s stance with Starmer’s, accusing the former Labour leader of supporting severe measures in Gaza, including the cutting of food, water, and electricity supplies. Ali suggested that electing Polanski would “change the face of British politics.”
Other parties have also announced their candidates for the by-election. The Liberal Democrats will field Patrick Stillman, a Camden councillor and outgoing chairman of Camden Lib Dems. The Conservative Party nominated Ewan Cameron, a former councillor, while Reform UK selected Pete Newman, a former Metropolitan Police detective known for his leadership in the response to the 7/7 London bombings. Additionally, George Galloway, former Labour MP and leader of the socialist Workers Party of Great Britain, announced his intention to stand. Galloway described Polanski as a “deeply unpleasant crank” and dismissed the Greens as purveyors of “Fools Gold,” asserting that an alternative to Labour is necessary but that the Greens do not fit that role.
A Green Party spokesperson emphasized the importance of inclusivity in democratic engagement, noting that many people are bilingual and expressing pride in reaching voters in multiple languages. The party stated that democracy should not discriminate based on the languages spoken by citizens.