Galloway Announces Bid Against Polanski and Sagal Abdi-Wali in By-Election for Starmer’s Seat

British politician George Galloway, leader of the Workers Party of Britain, has announced his intention to leave his self-imposed exile in Russia to stand in the by-election for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, setting up a direct contest with Green Party leader Zack Polanski and Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali.

Galloway made the announcement during an episode of his television programme, “The Mother of All Talk Shows”, in which he sent a mocking message to Polanski, saying that he could return to Britain because of the upcoming by-election. During the programme, Galloway criticised Polanski’s support for Ukraine, as well as his views on transgender rights, describing them as among the reasons for his opposition to him. He also made controversial remarks about Polanski’s name and Jewish background, comments that drew widespread criticism.

The by-election follows the resignation of former Prime Minister Keir Starmer from his parliamentary seat, which he had held since 2015. The Green Party had officially selected Polanski, a member of the London Assembly, as its candidate after he won an internal vote against local candidate Hamza Choudhury. The by-election is due to take place on 8 October, with Labour represented by local candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali, in what is being described as an important test for current Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Galloway said his party would contest the election “unless the Green Party makes an offer that cannot be refused”, adding that he would most likely be the party’s candidate if it decides to take part.

Galloway, who has described himself as being in “self-imposed exile” in Russia, was previously questioned by counter-terrorism police at Gatwick Airport in September last year, after he and his wife, Botri Giatri Pertiwi, returned from Moscow via Abu Dhabi. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the detention was carried out under Section 3 of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019, and that both were released without charge several hours later, during which Galloway’s phone and laptop were seized. Galloway subsequently announced his intention to take legal action against the police over the incident.

The 71-year-old Galloway is known for repeatedly contesting by-elections throughout his political career. He has previously won parliamentary seats in several constituencies, most recently winning the Rochdale seat in 2024. Against this backdrop of heightened political tensions, including controversy over Galloway’s position on Russia’s war in Ukraine, the upcoming by-election in a constituency traditionally regarded as a Labour stronghold is shaping up to be a closely watched political test in Britain.

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