Camden Council leader Abdi-Wali tipped as Labour’s preferred candidate for Holborn and St Pancras by-election

The leader of Camden Council is reportedly leading the pack to become Labour’s candidate in the upcoming Holborn and St Pancras by-election triggered by Keir Starmer’s resignation.

Cllr Sagal Abdi-Wali was chosen by the local Labour group in May to lead the council but could end up stepping down after a few months in the role if she secures the nomination and wins the parliamentary seat vacated by former prime minister Keir Starmer.

Reports began circulating on Wednesday that a slew of politicians from within the council were vying for the candidacy, including Cllr Abdi-Wali, her predecessor Richard Olszewski, and current cabinet members Adam Harrison, James Slater and Nasrine Djemai.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Cllr Harrison denied that he was running as he was “focusing on council duties”, and Cllr Slater has also reportedly ruled himself out. However, on Wednesday The Telegraph reported that Cllr Abdi-Wali was seeking the nomination in what is bound to be a fierce internal contest.

Having arrived in Camden as a child refugee, Cllr Abdi-Wali became Camden’s first Black woman leader in May after Richard Olszewski lost his seat at the local elections. Speaking to the LDRS at the time, she said: “Camden gave me a home and a sanctuary when we first came to this country as refugees, and being able to serve our communities is one of the great honours of my life.”

There is no prohibition against sitting council leaders running for Parliament while in post. However, if Cllr Abdi-Wali were to win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election it is highly likely she would resign as leader and councillor, triggering another internal Labour contest and a council by-election.

Under normal circumstances, the council would then be led in the interim by its deputy leader before the local Labour Party selects a new leader. At present, Camden has two deputies: Cllr Pat Callaghan and Cllr Adam Harrison.

Despite previous claims that he would continue in his role as MP after leaving Downing Street, the Camden New Journal first reported on Tuesday that Sir Keir would resign as an MP.

He told the paper it had been “a huge honour and a privilege to represent the best constituency in the country” but that now was the time to “pass the baton” as he turned his focus to international affairs.

The Labour Party website states that candidate selection for the by-election will close on Friday, 4 September, with a candidate expected to be chosen by Wednesday, 9 September. The date for the by-election itself is yet to be confirmed.

Amid mounting speculation, London Assembly member and leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski, has also confirmed on Thursday that he intends to stand. The LDRS understands the ultimate decision rests with the local party and a candidate will be chosen by the end of next week.

The LDRS contacted the Labour Party, the Green Party, and Cllr Abdi-Wali for further comment.

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