When will we know the result of the Holborn and St Pancras by-election?
The battle to be MP of the north London constituency has become one of the most closely-watched political contests in Britain.
Labour's candidate, Camden Council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali, remains the favourite to win the north London seat that has been held by the party since its creation in 1983. But Green Party leader Zack Polanski is hoping to pull off a shock victory and secure a place at Westminster.
The campaign intensified in recent days amid growing scrutiny of the Greens following their conference vote to designate Zionism as a form of racism, a move that sparked controversy and placed Mr Polanski's candidacy firmly in the spotlight.
The by-election was triggered after Sir Keir Starmer stepped down as MP for the constituency last month, following his departure from Downing Street and the election of Andy Burnham as Labour leader and Prime Minister.
The main challenge to Labour’s stranglehold appears to come from Green leader Zack Polanski, who just weeks ago threw his hat into the ring to be the next MP for Holborn and St Pancras.
But events at the Green Party’s conference, where members voted over the weekend to define Zionism as racism leading to Mr Polanski being barred from entering Israel, could have damaged his electoral prospects in north London.
Cllr Sagal Abdi-Wali is Labour’s candidate to replace Sir Keir in the by-election. She has served as leader of Camden council since her predecessor, Richard Olszewski, lost his seat on the local authority to the Green Party.
She described her campaign as being rooted in her experience of the borough and its diverse communities.
When will we know the result?
The count began at 10pm today (Thursday) when polling stations closed.
The result of by-elections are usually announced in the early hours of the morning the following day.
In 2024, the result in the General Election vote in Holborn and St Pancras was announced at 4.15am.
The time we know the result of the by-election will be influenced by the size of the turnout. The turnout in 2024 was 54.1%.
The last two by-elections in the UK saw turnouts of 44.1% (in Clacton on August 13, 2026, when Nigel Farage regained his seat), and 58.8% (in Makerfield on June 18, 2026, when Prime Minister Andy Burnham was elected MP).
The result is expected to be announced between 3am and 4am tomorrow (Friday).