Zack Polanski’s plans to enter the race puts rocket boosters under what's shaping up to be a box office by-election in Keir Starmer's old seat.
Holborn and St Pancras has been Labour since its creation in 1983, where the party has won at least 40% of the vote at every election. But the inner London constituency is a tempting prize for the Greens, and has long been in the sights of the party's Hackney-based leader.
Polanski’s personal popularity has slumped since its peak in April, following a backlash to a tweet criticising the police response to the Golders Green attack. The Greens have also seen their poll ratings fall.
This contest offers an opportunity for the party to regain momentum and could give Polanski - if he's selected by the local party - his Makerfield moment, an Andy Burnham-style gamble to prove he's a winner. But if he loses, it would be a hammer blow to Green hopes.
