Holborn by-election candidates named as Reform UK fields Pete Newman

What's happened

Reform UK has selected former Met counter-terrorism commander Pete Newman as its parliamentary candidate for Holborn and St Pancras. He has led Westminster policing after the 7/7 attacks and now pledges to restore safety and resilience on London’s streets. Nominations close soon as Labour, Green, Lib Dem and Conservative candidates are also confirmed ahead of the October by-election.

What's behind the headline?

The shape of the race

• Reform UK’s choice of Pete Newman signals a security-focused platform in a constituency long influenced by Labour dominance. Newman’s background as a counter-terrorism officer and his past role in Westminster’s post-7/7 response frame his campaign around safety and resilience.
• Labour’s candidate, Sagal Abdi-Wali, leads a local authority and is seen as the establishment figure in a district that has trended toward Labour in national elections.
• The Conservative and Lib Dem bids are built around familiar local leaders with cost-of-living and policing themes, aiming to cohere moderate voters around brand stability.
• The Green candidate Zack Polanski is positioned as the main challenger to Labour, potentially splitting the pro-Labour vote in a tight race.

What this means for voters

• With the by-election scheduled for October 8, residents will decide who represents them as Keir Starmer steps away from Parliament to focus on international affairs. The result will influence how London positions itself in national policy debates on policing, safety, and local services.
• The diverse field underscores London’s urban political fault lines: security and policing, housing affordability, and the balance of Labour-led local governance vs. opposition alternatives.

How we got here

Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to stand down as MP has triggered a by-election in Holborn and St Pancras. Multiple parties have named candidates, with Labour selecting Camden Council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali, the Lib Dems backing Patrick Stillman, the Greens Zack Polanski, and the Conservatives Ewan Cameron. The seat has long been competitive in London’s political landscape.

Our analysis

BBC Business reports that Pete Newman has been named Reform UK’s parliamentary candidate for Holborn and St Pancras and previously led Met officers in Westminster after the 7/7 attacks. The Independent confirms Newman’s remarks about safety and Labour’s governance, while BBC Business also notes the other confirmed candidates: Ewan Cameron (Conservative), Patrick Stillman (Lib Dem), Sagal Abdi-Wali (Labour), and Zack Polanski (Green). These sources collectively frame a multi-party contest ahead of nominations closing on September 15 and the by-election on October 8.

Go deeper

• What are the main policy differences between Reform UK and Labour in this by-election?
• How might the outcome affect policing funding and local services in Holborn and St Pancras?
• When will the other party candidates formally register their campaigns?

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