London Borough Council in the spotlight
A by-election in Holborn and St Pancras has been set for 8 October after Sir Keir Starmer has resigned as an MP. Labour has selected Camden council leader Sagal Abdi‑Wali and the Greens have chosen leader Zack Polanski as their candidate, setting up a high‑profile contest that will test new prime minister Andy Burnham's standing.
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.