Polanski says Jackdaw ‘outrage’ could boost Greens in by-election

It comes amid speculation that a decision on the Jackdaw gas field off the coast of Aberdeen, which is reportedly to be approved, will not come until after the by-election.

Mr Polanski said the Holborn and St Pancras constituency was more concerned than most about the climate crisis and it was “really outraging people” that Prime Minister Andy Burnham might announce new drilling for oil and gas during the election period, or refuse to rule it out until after people vote.

He said he was confident “but not complacent” about his chances and that he thought voters would “struggle to get excited about another Labour MP” after he was named as his party’s candidate.

The by-election could provide an early test of Mr Burnham’s popularity with the public, and while the Greens are likely to pose the greatest threat to Labour in the contest, there is also much at stake for Mr Polanski’s party.

Support for the Greens surged in his first year as leader but national polling has dipped since Mr Burnham replaced Sir Keir in Downing Street.

Speaking afterwards to the Press Association, he dismissed weaker polling and suggested Mr Burnham’s “hand-waving” on what action to take over failing water companies could harm Labour’s chances.

“What we’re finding on the doorsteps in Holborn and St Pancras is people really care about the kind of issues I’m talking about – housing costs, making sure that we’re standing up for renters or standing up for leaseholders, making sure we’re nationalising Thames Water.

“People won’t put up with Andy Burnham’s kind of hand-waving around public control. What we need is full public ownership.”

He also pointed to the uncertainty over what Mr Burnham will decide on North Sea drilling.

“This is a constituency that cares even more than the average about tackling the climate crisis and the fact that this prime minister could be announcing new drilling for oil and gas in Jackdaw during this election, or delaying it until after the election if he doesn’t refuse to rule it out, that’s really outraging people.”

He said he believed people would see that voting Green would be a message that they do not want “another Labour MP in this area that will just add to Andy Burnham’s huge majority”, but instead a “Green voice who will speak for the people of Holborn and St Pancras and hold the Government to account in constructive ways.”

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: “We do not comment on speculation.

“The North Sea remains a vital national asset and oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come – alongside transitioning to clean power to protect jobs and tackle the climate crisis.

“Any decision will take into account all relevant evidence, including environmental assessments and public representations received during the consultation process.”

Mr Polanski faced a challenge from local councillor Hamza Chowdhury to secure the nomination, but Green MP Hannah Spencer said local members had “overwhelmingly” chosen the party leader.

Mr Polanski will take on Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali at the October 8 by-election, triggered by former prime minister Sir Keir’s departure from Parliament.

Labour has held the Holborn and St Pancras seat continuously since it was created in 1983, but voters there have moved towards Green and independent candidates in recent years.

Ms Abdi-Wali has led Camden Council since May this year and been a councillor for Camden Square since 2022.

Mr Burnham visited the constituency on Thursday to support Ms Abdi-Wali on her first day of campaigning, she said in an X post.

Only two Labour MPs have ever represented Holborn and St Pancras: former health secretary Frank Dobson, from 1983 to 2015, then Sir Keir.

At the general election in 2024 Sir Keir held the seat with 48.9% of the vote, ahead of independent candidate Andrew Feinstein on 18.9% and the Greens on 10.4%.

The Conservatives came fourth on 7.2%, Reform finished fifth on 6.1% and the Liberal Democrats were sixth on 5.8%.

The popularity of the independent and Green candidates at the 2024 contest may have been partly down to former Labour voters protesting against Sir Keir’s refusal to take a stronger position on Israel’s actions in Gaza in the war with Hamas.

The Green Party also made gains in the May local elections in the London Borough of Camden, the local authority that covers the constituency.

Government chief whip Anneliese Midgley moved the writ in the House of Commons on Monday, officially triggering the by-election.

Sir Keir announced his intention to leave Parliament earlier this month, saying he felt it was the “right time” to step down and focus on new work on international affairs.