Holborn and St Pancras by-election result: Labour and Greens anxiously await crunch London vote declaration

But she was expected to face a strong challenge from the Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who claimed on Wednesday that the by-election was “close”. Mr Polanski has put a huge effort into defeating Camden Council leader Ms Abdi-Wali, mobilising dozens of campaigners in the streets of north London in the lead up. Labour and the Green Party are the frontrunners for the seatThe StandardLabour MPs, including Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, and the Mayor of London, hit the streets on Thursday alongside Ms Abdi-Wali in a final effort to secure the seat. He said: “Today, hope can win. But only if you vote for it. I have no doubt that Sagal Abdi-Wali will make a brilliant local MP for Holborn and St Pancras.“This area gave Sagal a home when she arrived here as a refugee in the 1990s. Camden gave Sagal and her family hope. Now she wants to give that back to the communities that have always been there for her.” Prime Minister Andy Burnham with Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wal, who is taking on Zack PolanskiThe Standard composite Mr Polanski has, however, remained steadfast that his party can pull off a shock victory.Ahead of polls opening, he said: “The election is looking close today. We already have a Labour government, a Labour council and a Labour mayor.“Isn’t it time for a Green voice for Camden to push Labour to do better on issues like rent controls and to put Thames Water into public ownership – issues where they’ve been backtracking?”Read MoreRestore Britain’s Rupert Lowe also weighed in as voters headed to cast their votes on Thursday. Whilst he predicted a Labour victory, he urged Londoners to vote for a party with “common sense” and “logic”. Sagal Abdi-Wali talks to supporters in Kentish TownGettyGreen Party leader Zack Polanski poses for a photo as he campaigns in the Holborn and St Pancras by-electionAFP/GettyThirteen other candidates also battled it out for votes in Sir Keir Starmer’s old seat, including the Conservatives, Reform UK, Restore Britain, the Lib Dems, and the Monster Raving Loony Party. George Galloway, leader of the Workers’ Party of Britain is among the contenders vying up the seat, despite living overseas in what he describes as “self-exile.” With polling stations now shut, there will be an anxious wait for Labour and the Green Party, with results expected in the early hours of Friday morning.