BREAKING: Sagal Abdi-Wali selected as Labour candidate in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election

Labour has selected Camden Council leader Sagal Abdi-Wali as candidate in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.

Abdi-Wali has been the councillor for Camden Square ward since 2022 and became leader in May 2026.

She has held responsibility for housing and adult social care, working with local residents, businesses, and organisations to secure over £670 million to improve Camden’s social housing, and has put tackling energy bills at the heart of Camden’s priorities, with nearly £30 million being invested to retrofit around 3,000 council homes. 

Abdi-Wali said: “I am delighted that local members have put their trust in me to be Labour’s candidate in the area I’ve grown up in. 

 “This place welcomed my family as refugees and gave us hope when we needed it most. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to build a life here, serving our community as a councillor, school governor, and community activist. Now I am standing to say thank you and to give back the hope you gave me.

“Throughout this campaign, I promise to put our communities at the heart of everything I do, now and for the future. Together, we can make hope win.”

READ MORE: Labour Party Conference 2026: Full LabourList events programme, revealed

Liam Conlon MP, Labour’s by-election campaign lead, said: “Sagal is a fantastic local champion with a strong record of delivering for local residents on revamping council homes, reducing homelessness, and tackling nuisance antisocial behaviour.

“She will be a powerful progressive voice for Holborn and St Pancras to work alongside our Labour Government to improve the lives for local people. “Labour will run a positive campaign that brings people together and restores hope. I look forward to joining hundreds of members to campaign with Sagal over the coming weeks.”

Become a friend of LabourList and join our community. Our friends support our vital non-factional work and get access to exclusive content and events. 

Subscribe here to our daily newsletter roundup of Labour news, analysis and comment– and follow us on TikTok, Bluesky, WhatsApp, X and Facebook. You can also write to our editor to share your thoughts on our stories and share your own. The best letters are published every Sunday.

• • SHARE: If you have anything to share that we should be looking into or publishing about this story – or any other topic involving Labour– contact us (strictly anonymously if you wish) at [email protected].
  • SUBSCRIBE: Sign up to LabourList’s morning email here for the best briefing on everything Labour, every weekday morning.
  • BECOME A FRIEND: If you enjoyed this, why not consider becoming a Friend of LabourList? Help sustain our journalism, and of course Friends do get benefits…
  • PARTNER: If you or your organisation might be interested in partnering with us on sponsored events or projects, email [email protected].
  • ADVERTISE: If your organisation would like to advertise or run sponsored pieces on LabourList‘s daily newsletter or website, contact our exclusive ad partners Total Politics at [email protected].