Somali-Born Refugee Sagal Abdi-Wali Wins UK Parliamentary Seat for Labour
Somali-Born Refugee Sagal Abdi-Wali Wins UK Parliamentary Seat for Labour
Somali-Born Refugee Sagal Abdi-Wali Wins UK Parliamentary Seat for Labour
Sagal Abdi-Wali, a Somali-born former refugee, has been elected as a Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St Pancras in the United Kingdom, following a by-election held on October 8, 2026.
Abdi-Wali secured 12,292 votes to defeat Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who received 8,928 votes, retaining the seat previously held by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Her victory marks a significant milestone in her political journey. She arrived in the UK as a child refugee from Somalia and previously served as leader of Camden Council before entering Parliament.
The by-election was triggered by Starmer’s resignation from the constituency in September 2026. Abdi-Wali won with approximately 45.2 per cent of the vote, while Polanski secured about 32.8 per cent.
Her election adds to the representation of people with refugee and migrant backgrounds in British public life.
Somali-Born Refugee Sagal Abdi-Wali Wins UK Parliamentary Seat for Labour
