Blogger’s Note: I believe that Galloway is today a right-wing Trotskyite – a left-leaning fascist. Polanski has told numerous (exposed) lies. Choices, choices for the UK’s bourgeoise’s left. I would not vote for Galloway, Labour, or the Greens – they are all bourgeois distortions of genuine leftist concerns. The authentic (Marxist-Leninist) left will not be found in reactionary opposition to (or the embracing of) Zionist or Jihadi politics. No – the left is moving the deckchairs around on the Titanic. The Greens previously benefitted from a split in the right[wing vote in the Dover by-election – and now the Greens look set to exploit a similar split in the left-wing vote in the Holborn and St Pancreas by-election. The Greens are a neo-liberal outfit that changes political direction with te wind, and which cannot be trusted to represent the working-class. The Greens are too busy representing the reactionary politics of other countries. Chris Williamson, the former Labour MP expelled for anti-Semitism – is a regular presenter on Iran’s TV station Press TV. ACW (19.9.2026)
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Reporter @nicholascecil – 18.9.2026
George Galloway is facing a growing row over his decision to stand against Zack Polanski in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
The Leader of the Workers Party of Britain has been accused by some of his supporters of risking splitting the Left-leaning, anti-Labour vote.
The party’s Deputy Leader Chris Williamson, former MP for Derby North, quit over the matter.
Mr Williamson posted on X: “I have…resigned from the Workers Party of Britain because I profoundly disagree with the decision to stand in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
“I have a huge amount of respect for George Galloway, but I believe we should get behind Zack Polanski on this occasion.”
James Giles, a councillor in Kingston and Mr Galloway’s former Chief of Staff in the Commons, has now also publicly warned against carving up the anti-Labour vote, which could allow Andy Burnham’s party to hold the north London seat.
Cllr Giles, Leader of the Kingston Independent Residents’ Group, messaged on X: “Blocked by @georgegalloway for stating my position on Holborn & St Pancras: I want Labour defeated, and the only way of doing that is a vote for @ZackPolanski and the Greens.
“I say this as George’s former Chief of Staff in Parliament.”
Left-leaning voters were divided on social media over Mr Galloway’s move to contest the by-election, with some critical of Mr Polanski and others saying he offers the best chance to defeat Labour.
Mr Galloway says he is standing against Mr Polanski as he claims the Green Party leader is “a supporter of NATO…a supporter of Zelensky…..because he wants and supports the continuation of the NATO war on Russia.”
Bookies have Labour’s candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali, leader of Camden Council, as favourite to win the by-election on October 8.
At the 2024 general election, Labour held Holborn and St Pancras with a majority, of 11,572.
Sir Keir Starmer gained 18,884 votes, with the Greens far behind in third place with 4,030.
However, independent candidate Andrew Feinstein got 7,312 votes.
In a boost to Mr Polanski, Mr Feinstein has urged people who supported him two years ago to vote Green at the by-election triggered by Sir Keir standing down as the local MP after being forced out of No10 by a Labour revolt.
If the vast majority of these voters backed Mr Polanski, it could put him close to a historic election victory.
But the decision by Mr Galloway, who has represented five constituencies in Parliament including Bethnal Green and Bow, to enter the contest almost certainly hits the likelihood of the Green leader winning.
Mr Galloway, 72, is still popular among some Left-leaning and Muslim voters.
The constituency of Holborn and St Pancras has been Labour since its creation in 1983, having been represented by just two MPs, Sir Keir and former Health Secretary Frank Dobson.
New Prime Minister Mr Burnham made a surprise visit to the constituency last Thursday for the by-election which is being fiercely contested.
Hundreds of Labour and Green activists have been pouring onto the streets of north London as both parties ramp up their campaigns.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 