THE race to replace Keir Starmer as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras is expected to be a showdown between the Greens and Labour.
Voters in the London seat will go to the polls after the former prime minister announced he was quitting the Commons to focus on a role in international affairs.
English and Welsh Greens leader Zack Polanski has confirmed he will seek to stand in the race but will need to gain the approval of local party members. He is currently an additional member of the London Assembly.
It will be seen as an early test of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s popularity, though Starmer handily saw off challenges from independent Andrew Feinstein at the last election and the Greens were far behind in third place.
What are the odds on who will win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election?
Labour are the bookies’ favourite to win on odds of 1/4, according to Oddschecker. But the Greens have seen a surge in support from punters.
Polanski’s party are on 3/1, with an implied probability of winning of 25% to Labour’s 80%.
Reform come a distant third on 40/1, while Rupert Lowe’s far-right splinter outfit Restore are on 100/1, putting them on a par with the Tories.
Elsewhere, the LibDems are on 200/1.
Speaking on Thursday, September 3, Oddschecker spokesperson Chris Rogers said: “Punters have piled in on the Green Party in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election betting market this week.
“A whopping 75% of bets over the last 24 hours favoured Green while heavy 1/4 favourites Labour accounted for 16% of the betting.
"With an 80% implied probability, Labour looks set to retain the north London constituency.”
Oddschecker reviews odds across more than 25 of the UK’s most popular bookmakers.
Who are the candidates in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election?
Polanski has announced he wants to run as the Green candidate and awaits the decision of local members, who have the final say.
Sagal Abdi-Wali, the leader of Camden Council, is being tipped as the Labour candidate.
Where is Holborn and St Pancras?
It is a constituency covering parts of central and north London, covering areas such as Bloomsbury, Camden, Chalk Farm and Kentish Town.
