Polls close in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. The result is due this morning
Voting in the by-election for the north London seat vacated by Sir Keir Starmer ended at 22:00 on 8 October. The Guardian and RTÉ reported that 15 candidates stood and that the result was expected in the early hours. In 2024 Sir Keir won 48.9% of the vote, ahead of the independent Andrew Feinstein on 18.9% and the Greens on 10.4%. The Guardian said Labour hoped to hold the seat. The result had not been declared when we went to press.
It is the first test of Andy Burnham's government at the ballot box in a safe Labour seat, and the Greens and independents are competing for the same voters.
A swing away from Labour would be read as a sign of how voters judge the new government. For a constituent, the winner becomes their MP once sworn in at the House of Commons.
Look at the margin and turnout, not the winner alone. A close result would worry Labour strategists more than a clear win would reassure them.
DailyDrop U.K. edition No. 5 · Morning · FRI., OCT. 9, 2026