Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali is campaigning to represent Holborn and St Pancras in the upcoming by-election on October 8, aiming to retain a seat long held by Labour leader Keir Starmer, who recently resigned as both prime minister and MP. Abdi-Wali, 42, a former leader of Camden council, has repeatedly emphasized her focus on serving the local constituency rather than aspiring to party leadership.
The by-election carries significant political weight for Labour. The party’s success or failure in Holborn and St Pancras will be seen as an indicator of Labour’s standing in the capital, especially following recent gains by the Greens and Reform UK in other regions. Labour’s broader strategy is to demonstrate resilience in urban areas where progressive rivals have made inroads.
Holborn and St Pancras is a youthful and diverse constituency, notable for its large student population and high percentage of residents born overseas. Around 45% of constituents were born outside the UK, and nearly half are aged between 18 and 34, compared to a national average of 28%. These demographics have attracted intense campaigning efforts from both Labour and the Green Party.
The Greens have spotlighted issues related to the Israel-Palestine conflict, distributing leaflets criticizing Labour councillors for not signing a statement of solidarity with Palestine earlier this year. The Green candidate, Zack Polanski, has used the absence of Abdi-Wali at a recent Camden Muslim Network hustings to underscore this point. Abdi-Wali explained her absence by citing a last-minute invitation and a prior engagement, without directly addressing whether she believes the Labour government should take a stronger stance on Gaza. She welcomed Foreign Secretary James Cleverly’s declaration that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank is unlawful and his announcement of sanctions targeting Israeli settlements.
Abdi-Wali’s personal background informs much of her campaign narrative. She arrived in London in the early 1990s after fleeing the Somali civil war with her family, initially speaking no English. She credits sport, particularly football, as a means of integration into her community. The influence of her mother, a lawyer and community activist, played a key role in her path to public service. Her father, originally a Liberal Democrat candidate in 2010 local elections, also shaped her political awareness.
Her entry into Labour politics was motivated by concerns over homelessness in Camden, prompting her to join the party in 2015 to advocate for political solutions. Initially uncertain about seeking candidacy, Abdi-Wali was encouraged to run after Reform UK chair Zia Yusuf criticized her nomination on social media, labeling her as being “foisted” on the constituency because of her Somali heritage. Abdi-Wali dismissed this as divisive rhetoric and emphasized the importance of representation for young people from diverse backgrounds in politics.
The Holborn and St Pancras by-election is viewed as a pivotal moment for Labour, testing its ability to maintain support amid rising challenges from the Greens and other parties in London’s dynamic political landscape.