Britain’s governing Labour Party has won a closely contested parliamentary by election in Holborn and St Pancras, central London, defeating a strong challenge from the left wing Green Party and strengthening Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s position.
Labour candidate Sagal Abdi Wali, a local council leader who arrived in Britain as a child refugee from Somalia, secured 12,292 votes. Green Party leader Zack Polanski came second with 8,928 votes.
The victory offers a boost to Burnham, who became prime minister in July after Keir Starmer was removed from office. Labour had previously lost support to the Greens, particularly among younger and left leaning voters in London.
The result also raises questions about Polanski’s leadership following controversy over a Green Party conference motion declaring Zionism a form of racism and calling for a single democratic Palestinian state across historic Palestine. The motion drew criticism from Jewish organisations, other political parties and several Green lawmakers.
Polanski, who did not vote on the motion, rejected calls for his resignation and described the defeat as part of Burnham’s early period of political goodwill. However, former Green leader Caroline Lucas criticised his response to the controversy and said she wanted to see stronger leadership.
Labour officials said the result showed the party was regaining support. Burnham has sought to appeal to voters on the left through a tougher position on Israel and proposals for closer relations with the European Union.
Polanski said the Greens would now focus on whether Burnham’s first budget, scheduled for October 28, would meet voters’ expectations.
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