Zack Polanski has officially become the Green Party's favourite for the Holborn and St Pancras byelection - a seat that, until recently, was occupied by a certain Keir Starmer. Local members have thrown their support behind the party leader, who is now seriously considering throwing his hat into the ring for the constituency vacated by the former PM on Monday.

The Green Party sources confirm that local members will have the final say, but the Guardian understands the locals are feeling rather warm towards Polanski, with no obvious rival activist ready to challenge him. Nominations are expected to open soon, with the candidate selected by the end of next week.

Lorna Jane Russell, the Greens' leader on Camden council, has decided to bow out, citing her desire to focus on her role as opposition leader and her pregnancy. Not everyone can juggle a political career and a bun in the oven, apparently.

On the anniversary of his election on 2 September 2025, Polanski called the byelection a "referendum on ending rip-off Britain," adding that he's "very excited for the next chapter" for himself, the Greens, and the nation. Nothing like a good old-fashioned political cliché to rally the troops.

The party insiders in London point to a surge in membership since Polanski took the helm, making him the obvious favourite. "There would be a lot of excitement about him standing," one source gushed. "This is the kind of seat that has always had high-profile figures, and having someone with Zack's profile would play very well."

But hold your horses - this move isn't without risk. The seat has been a Labour stronghold for ages, and Polanski might be better off eyeing a spot in Hackney, where the Greens recently won the mayoralty, in case a sitting MP like Diane Abbott ever steps down. In the May local elections, Labour lost seats but managed to cling onto Camden council, and Labour sources are confident. "This is not Gorton and Denton," one sniffed, referencing the seat of Hannah Spencer, the other Green MP. "The Burnham bounce will help."

Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate, is already out campaigning, insisting the Labour vote is "resilient" and that Andy Burnham's pledges are being "gratefully received" by Camden locals. She's promising to be out "every day, giving it my best shot." How heartwarming.

Labour will not run an all-women shortlist, and they'll announce their candidate by next Wednesday. The frontrunner is Sagal Abdi-Wali, a former child refugee from Somalia who's been leading Camden council since May. "She's got a compelling personal story," said a Labour source, "and can reach people from all faiths and backgrounds." Also in the running: Adam Hug, the former Westminster council leader who lost his job in May's local election, plus Nash Ali and Rishi Madlani, a former Camden mayor and councillor, respectively.

Abdi-Wali is close to Starmer, and local sources warn that parachuting in an outsider would face "fierce criticism." One Labour insider mused, "It will be interesting to see if Burnham has the same appeal in north London as Makerfield. A lot of the policies he's been talking about feel more geared towards the rest of the country, not really London." Indeed, because nothing says 'London' like a northern accent and a bus timetable manifesto.