Labour has selected its candidate to replace former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras.
Local campaigner Sagal Abdi-Wali, the current leader of Camden Council, will be the party’s candidate to replace Sir Keir in the London seat.
Sir Keir announced that he would step down as an MP last week, with the contest to replace the former Prime Minister set to take place on October 6.
Abdi-Wali was brought to Britain as a child refugee from Somalia.
Reform UK figure Zia Yusuf sparked controversy last week when he tweeted about Abdi-Wali, who was being reported as the frontrunner for the selection.
Mr Yusuf was accused of “straightforward racism” after posting on X: “The frontrunner being foisted on the people of Holborn by Labour to replace the former prime minister Keir Starmer in our parliament was born in Somalia. Do you understand what’s happening?”
After her candidacy was announced, Ms Abdi-Wali said: “I am delighted that local members have put their trust in me to be Labour’s candidate in the area I’ve grown up in.
“This place welcomed my family as refugees and gave us hope when we needed it most. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to build a life here, serving our community as a councillor, school governor, and community activist. Now I am standing to say thank you and to give back the hope you gave me.
“Throughout this campaign, I promise to put our communities at the heart of everything I do, now and for the future. Together, we can make hope win.”
Green Party leader Zack Polanski wants to stand for the seat but is facing a challenge from local councillor Hamza Chowdhury, who has put himself forward for the Green nomination.
Source:LBC
