Zack Polanski, the leader of the Greens in England and Wales, is encountering unexpected opposition from within his own party as he seeks to contest the Holborn and St Pancras byelection. The byelection date has been confirmed for 8 October, following Keir Starmer's formal resignation as an MP.
Hamza Chowdhury, a Green councillor for Camden, has also announced his intention to seek the nomination. Chowdhury stated that seven of the 10 Green councillors on Camden council, including group leader Lorna Russell, are backing his bid over Polanski's.
Chowdhury, who lives in Camden, argued that Polanski, who resides in east London, would be unable to properly represent the area. Polanski has stated he will not move to the constituency if he wins, but will cycle from his Hackney flat.
Local Green Party members are scheduled to vote later this week to select their candidate. The timing of the byelection, a week after the Green Party conference, means the final weekend of campaigning will coincide with many activists being in Brighton.