Lucas declines to say whether Polanski should stand down
The Green party conceded defeat in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection on October 9, 2026, telling supporters it would come a “close second” to Labour in one of the opposition party’s safest seats, according to The Guardian’s UK politics live coverage.
A party spokesperson said in a statement: “It is clear now we will come a close second in this by-election. Taking the fight to Labour in one of its safest seats shows just how far the Greens have come.”
The spokesperson added that “voters want us to keep Labour’s feet to the fire on affordable housing, public ownership of water and the climate crisis,” pledging that Greens would be “there every single day, holding Labour to account and demanding the change people voted for.”
The Guardian reported the loss will disappoint Zack Polanski, who had hoped to replicate the party’s “seismic win in Gordon and Denton earlier this year.” Thousands of party activists descended on the north London constituency to knock doors, but it appears their efforts fell short, according to the paper.
According to The Guardian, the result caps a “bruising week” for Polanski and his “eco-populist” party, which the paper reported “fell into turmoil” after Sunday’s vote adopting a policy declaring Zionism a form of racism. The Guardian reported the vote sparked internal division that continued after polls closed. Former party leader Caroline Lucas refused within an hour of polls shutting to say whether Polanski should stand down, in remarks to BBC Newsnight.