Counting begins in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, with Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali appearing ahead
Summary
Voters in the north London constituency of Holborn and St Pancras went to the polls on Thursday 8 October in a by-election to replace Sir Keir Starmer, who resigned from the House of Commons last month, choosing among 15 candidates in London's most closely watched political contest of the year. Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali, described by the Evening Standard as the overwhelming favourite, sought to defend a seat that has been a Labour stronghold since its formation in 1983, held by Frank Dobson for 32 years and Sir Keir for 11, against Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who claimed the contest was 'close'. The Guardian saw it as a test of Andy Burnham's ability to unite Labour voters. Polls closed at 10pm, and in the early stages of counting Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali appeared to be ahead, the Evening Standard and The Independent reported.
Latest: Counting began in Holborn and St Pancras, with Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali appearing to be ahead in the early stages of tallying the votes.
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How it unfolded
Thursday 8 October
Polls closed at 10pm in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, with Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali defending the seat against Green Party leader Zack Polanski, as Labour and the Greens awaited the declaration.
- 22:55Evening StandardLabour retains Starmer’s Holborn seat defeating Green leader Zack Polanski
- 20:50The IndependentCounting begins in Holborn and St Pancras as Polanski could come under pressure
- 20:43Evening StandardCounting begins in Holborn and St Pancras as Polanski could come under pressure
- 17:38The IndependentHolborn and St Pancras by-election result live: Polanski hoping to win Starmer’s old seat as polls close
- 17:30The IndependentPolls close in by-election to replace Keir Starmer as Holborn and St Pancras MP
- 17:23Evening StandardPolls close in by-election to replace Keir Starmer as Holborn and St Pancras MP
- 17:22The GuardianPolls close in Holborn and St Pancras byelection as Labour hopes to retain seat
- 17:04Evening StandardHolborn and St Pancras by-election result: Labour and Greens anxiously await crunch London vote declaration
- 04:41Evening StandardHolborn and St Pancras by-election: Who are the candidates?
- 03:59The IndependentWhat time is the Holborn and St Pancras by-election announced and is there an exit poll?
- 02:17The IndependentHolborn and St Pancras by-election underway as Andy Burnham faces major test
- 02:11Evening StandardWhen will we know the result of the Holborn and St Pancras by-election?
- 02:10The IndependentVoters go to polls to replace Starmer in Holborn and St Pancras by-election
- 02:09The IndependentHolborn and St Pancras by-election live: Voting opens in big test for Burnham against Polanski in Starmer’s old seat
- 02:04Evening StandardVoters go to polls to replace Starmer in Holborn and St Pancras by-election
- 02:00BBC NewsHolborn and St Pancras by-election gets under way
Wednesday 7 October
The Evening Standard described Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali as the overwhelming favourite, saying a victory for Polanski would be a political earthquake in London.
- 19:10The IndependentVoters go to the polls to replace Starmer in Holborn and St Pancras by-election
- 19:01Evening StandardHolborn and St Pancras by-election: Andy Burnham issues last minute appeal to voters as Zack Polanski claims contest ‘close’
- 19:01Evening StandardVoters go to the polls to replace Starmer in Holborn and St Pancras by-election
- 05:51Evening StandardWhen is the Holborn and St Pancras by-election? Polling day looms in Labour-Green showdown
- 04:59Evening StandardWho will win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election?
Tuesday 6 October
The Independent called the contest a major test for both Green Party leader Zack Polanski and new Labour leader Andy Burnham, with constituents divided ahead of Thursday's vote.