Holborn and St Pancras Byelection Seen as Key Test for Labour and Greens

A byelection is set to take place in Holborn and St Pancras, a constituency neighbouring Westminster that was vacated by Keir Starmer, according to a Guardian opinion piece by columnist Polly Toynbee. The seat, described in the article as a long-standing safe Labour constituency, has reportedly attracted 96 applications for Labour candidate selection, with selection day set for Wednesday, though the piece notes none of the applicants are nationally recognised figures.

Toynbee's column frames the contest as consequential for both major parties involved, despite occurring within what she describes as a broader national political struggle between right and left blocs. For Labour, the piece states the byelection represents a test of what it calls the "Burnham bounce," referring to Andy Burnham. According to the column, Burnham previously saw off a right-wing challenge in Makerfield, and this byelection would test whether he can also win over left-leaning voters and demonstrate enthusiastic support in southern constituencies, not just in the north.

The article states that the Green Party, led by Zack Polanski, faces what Toynbee characterizes as an almost existential stake in the outcome. She writes that failure in this contest could push the Greens and their leader back to the political fringes.

According to the piece, the Greens are appealing to young and progressive voters in the constituency on issues including defence policy, rent controls, and North Sea oil. Toynbee's column characterizes the byelection as a showdown between two progressive parties, Labour and the Greens, even as it unfolds within a wider political landscape she describes as dominated by tension between right and left blocs nationally.

The circumstances of Starmer's departure from the seat are described in the column as "vengeful," though further details on this characterization were not provided in the excerpt reviewed.