Andrew Feinstein, the independent candidate who challenged Keir Starmer in the 2024 general election, will not stand again in Holborn and St Pancras.
The by-election was called after the former prime minister, Keir Starmer, announced he would be resigning as an MP on Tuesday (1 September). This morning, in an interview with the Camden New Journal, Green Party leader Zack Polanski confirmed he will run for selection as his party’s candidate in the by-election.
In a message sent to members of the left-wing Camden People’s Alliance – the local party he founded ahead of the May 2026 local elections – Feinstein said: “ I am afraid that I am very sadly not in a position to stand this time round”. He told members he would explain more at a group meeting due to take place next week.
As I reported today, some in the Camden Green Party have urged Polanski not to put himself forward, instead voicing support for Feinstein. In 2024, Feinstein ran on a left-wing, anti-war and pro-Gaza platform, coming second against Starmer with 7,312 votes (Starmer won 18,884 votes). He was involved in the early stages of the founding of Your Party, although left before its inaugural conference in November 2025 and is now part of the Camden People’s Alliance, which collaborated with the Greens in the borough ahead of the May local elections. Should he have decided to run, Feinstein’s candidacy would have made the Greens’ chances of success less likely owing to a potential split in the constituency’s left-wing vote.
Feinstein’s message to the CPA did not contain explicit support for Polanski or the Greens, although the group’s next steps are likely to be discussed at a meeting due to take place next week. In a post on X following the announcement of Starmer’s resignation, Feinstein said progressive forces in Holborn and St Pancras should “unite in order to deliver an MP who represents us”.
The Green Party has yet to reveal its timeline for candidate selection. However, the party has said whoever is chosen will be in place by the end of next week. Polanski is currently running uncontested.
[Further reading: Zack Polanski to run for selection in Holborn and St Pancras]
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