Sagal Cabdi-Wali Wins Keir Starmer's Seat in the British Parliament

Sagal Cabdi-Wali, a member of the Labour Party, has won the by-election for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency in London, securing the seat vacated by former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The official results of the election, announced on Friday, showed that Sagal received 12,292 votes, equivalent to 45.17% of the votes cast . On the other hand, the leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski, received 8,928 votes, equivalent to 32.82%. The difference between the two candidates was 3,364 votes.

Voter turnout for the election reached 38.76%, which is lower than the registration rate for the general election in 2024. Although the Labour Party retained the seat, the margin of victory was significantly smaller than in the 2024 general election, when Keir Starmer secured this seat with over 11,500 additional votes compared to the second-place candidate.

This result highlights the tough competition among the candidates, particularly the challenge posed by the Green Party for the seat, as Sagal, who was born in Somalia and came to Britain as a refugee in her childhood, has long lived in the Camden area of London.

She entered local politics through the local council in 2022, and in May 2026, she was elected as the leader of the Camden Council, becoming the first black woman to hold that position.

In a speech she delivered after achieving victory, Sagal stated that representing the people of Holborn and St Pancras holds special significance, as Camden provided home and opportunities for her family when they were refugees.

} It also promised to serve all members of the community, regardless of who voted for it and who did not.

Its election campaign focused on addressing homelessness, expanding opportunities for youth, and strengthening community security. These issues were among the points it emphasized during the election race.

Sagal Cabdi-Waali's victory marks a new step in her political representation in Britain, having transitioned from a childhood spent in refugee status to leading the Camden local council, and now winning a seat in the British Parliament.

Her success is also attracting the attention of the Somali community living in Britain and the broader audience following the representation of immigrant communities in that country's politics.