Sagal Abdi-Wali has been elected as the new Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras, taking over the north London constituency from Keir Starmer. In her acceptance speech, Abdi-Wali described her election as "deeply personal".
The 43-year-old has resided in the area since the 1990s, having settled in Gospel Oak, Camden, after fleeing Somalia with her mother and four brothers at the age of seven. She expressed hope that her journey from refugee to Member of Parliament would inspire "people who look like me".
Abdi-Wali has a long history of community involvement and local party politics. She was elected to the borough council in 2022, became the Labour cabinet member for housing two years later, and in May was elected the first Black female leader of Camden council. She also chaired the local constituency party for four years.
Among her priorities as an MP, Abdi-Wali stated in her acceptance speech on Friday morning, would be addressing homelessness and housing, advocating for Thames Water to be brought into public ownership, and increasing access to jobs and apprenticeships for young people.