Zack Polanski was hit by a major blow with George Galloway standing as the candidate for the Workers Party of Britain in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
The Green Party leader had been expected to sweep up a large chunk of 7,300 votes which independent candidate Andrew Feinstein won in the north London seat at the 2024 general election.
But Mr Galloway’s decision to throw his hat into the ring for the by-election contest threatens to split the Left-leaning, anti-Labour vote.
It has also sparked a furious row within the Workers Party of Britain, with Chris Williamson quitting as Deputy Leader.
The former Derby North MP 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.”
Mr Williamson praised the Green leader’s stance on State intervention in the economy, the war on drugs, illegal immigration and the criminal justice system.
He added: “I do have some differences on a small set of issues, most notably their current pro-EU and pro-NATO stances.
“But my view is that we should agree where we agree, which is on most things, and simply have fraternal disagreements where we don’t.”
At the general election, Labour won Holborn and St Pancras with a majority, of 11,572.
Sir Keir gained 18,884 votes, with the Green Party far behind in third place with 4,030.
However, Mr Feinstein got 7,312 votes.
He has urged people who supported him two years ago to vote Green at the by-election on October 8.
If the vast majority of these voters backed Mr Polanski, it could put him within reaching distance of an historic election victory.
But Mr Galloway, 72, who has represented five constituencies in Parliament including Bethnal Green and Bow, could potentially gain several thousand votes.
He is still popular among some Left-leaning and Muslim voters.
If Mr Galloway does gain a significant number of votes, it would appear to make it easier for Labour’s candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali, the leader of Camden Council, to retain the seat for Labour.
Hundreds of activists from both Labour and the Greens have been out campaigning in the north London by-election which was triggered by Sir Keir Starmer standing down as the local MP.
Andy Burnham made a surprise visit to the constituency last week.
In a move likely to be welcomed by many voters there, he has taken a tougher stance than Sir Keir’s administration against Israel, with sanctions announced last week over illegal settlements in the West Bank.
The Workers Party of Britain did not stand a candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election in February, having won 3,766 votes at the 2024 general election.
The decision was seen as helping the Green Party’s candidate Hannah Spencer clinch a shock win.
