Zack Polanski, leader of Britain’s Green Party, is set to contest the parliamentary seat formerly held by ex-Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a local newspaper reported on Thursday.

Mr Polanski told the Camden New Journal that he would contest Holborn and St Pancras as the Green Party candidate.

The constituency, which has traditionally leaned to the left, was retained by Mr Starmer in the 2024 general election, although Labour’s share of the vote dropped considerably.

In a post on X, Mr Polanski said Labour “stands up for corporations and big money,” adding that he would “stand up for people and our communities.”

An independent candidate who campaigned mainly against Israel’s war in Gaza won nearly 19 per cent of the vote in the 2024 election.

The Green candidate also secured more than 10 per cent, raising expectations that the party could make a stronger bid for the seat in the forthcoming election.

The Greens had gained support from Labour’s left since Mr Polanski became leader about a year ago.

The party recorded a surprise by-election victory in Greater Manchester, an area where current Prime Minister Andy Burnham served for years as mayor.

Nationally, support for the Greens has reached as high as 20 per cent in some opinion polls.

Mr Polanski, however, has faced a decline in personal popularity after criticising police officers over the arrest of a man who allegedly stabbed two Jewish people in north London in April, according to YouGov.

A YouGov poll released on Wednesday put Labour and the right-wing populist Reform UK, led by anti-Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, at 23 per cent each.

The Conservatives polled at 20 per cent, while the Greens stood at 13 per cent.

(NAN)