Zack Polanski says he’ll stand in the by-election after Keir Starmer resignation

Green Party leader to stand in by-election for Starmer's old seat

The Green Party leader sits on the London Assembly, but has never been an MP.

The Camden New Journal on Thursday morning told that he was "so excited by the prospect" of becoming the first Green MP for the constituency.

"I have lived and worked in this community over many years, I know it well and I love it," he said. "It represents so many of the things that make London so special."

"It's a clear fight between Labour and the Green Party," he added.

Why Zack Polanski fancies his chances

The Greens are targeting what has until now been a Labour stronghold after finishing second to the party in the area at local elections earlier this year.

The Greens currently have five MPs, but with Starmer's announcement that he was quitting as MP for the London seat, there is now a chance for the Party leader to represent a London constituency.

That hands an awkward early test to his successor, Andy Burnham, whose first month in Downing Street has already seen him scuffle over border poll comments during his visit in Belfast.

Polanski still needs to be selected by local party members, though his comments suggest that is a formality.

There have been reports of splits among local Green activists, some said to favour a pro-Gaza candidate, and it is unclear whether Andrew Feinstein, the independent runner-up in 2024, will stand and split the vote.

No date has been set yet.

Sir Keir Starmer, MP for the area since 2015, said it was the "right time" to "pass the baton to a successor" and that he would now focus on international affairs and tackling violence against women and girls.