Green Party leader Zack Polanski has issued a campaign message in Bengali as he seeks to reach voters in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. The move comes after he was mocked by London Mayor Sadiq Khan for an earlier video in Urdu, and it signals an intensifying battle for one of the capital's most diverse parliamentary constituencies.
Polanski's decision to speak directly to Bengali-speaking residents reflects the electoral arithmetic of Holborn and St Pancras, where a significant proportion of the electorate has roots in Bangladesh and the wider South Asian diaspora. The constituency, which covers parts of Camden and Islington, has long been a Labour stronghold, but the by-election has opened the door to a more competitive contest in which smaller parties are courting specific communities.
The Green leader's multilingual campaigning has drawn attention beyond the usual political circles. His earlier attempt at Urdu was met with a derisive response from Khan, who suggested the effort fell short. Rather than retreat, Polanski has doubled down, this time delivering his message in Bengali — a language spoken by one of the largest minority communities in the area. The strategy appears designed to present the Greens as a party that engages directly with voters in their own languages, rather than relying on English-language broadcasts alone.
Political analysts note that by-elections often become testing grounds for broader electoral trends, and the Holborn and St Pancras contest is no exception. With the Green Party seeking to build on recent local election gains, a strong showing in a Labour heartland would bolster its claim to be a serious challenger in urban seats. The party has been targeting voters who feel alienated by mainstream politics, particularly on issues such as housing, climate policy and public services.
The Bengali-language message is also a recognition of the changing demographics of London. According to census data, Bengali is one of the most widely spoken languages in the capital after English, and in constituencies like Holborn and St Pancras, community-specific outreach can make a measurable difference in tight races. Parties across the spectrum have increasingly adopted multilingual campaigning, but the Green leader's approach has been notably direct.
Khan's mockery of Polanski's Urdu video has itself become part of the story. The Mayor, who is of Pakistani heritage and speaks Urdu, appeared to question the authenticity of the Green leader's linguistic efforts. Polanski's response — a new message in a different South Asian language — can be read as an attempt to demonstrate genuine engagement rather than a one-off gesture. It also risks opening him up to further criticism if the delivery is perceived as clumsy or tokenistic.
For voters in Holborn and St Pancras, the by-election campaign is unfolding against a backdrop of national political volatility. The constituency has a large student population, significant social housing estates and a mix of affluent and deprived neighbourhoods. Candidates are expected to focus on local issues such as renters' rights, transport links and the future of high streets, alongside national themes like the economy and the NHS.
The Green Party's broader strategy in London has involved positioning itself to the left of Labour on environmental and social justice issues. Polanski, who became leader in 2024, has sought to raise the party's profile through media appearances and community engagement. His multilingual videos are part of that effort, though they have also made him a target for ridicule from opponents who question whether substance matches style.
Whether the Bengali message will translate into votes remains uncertain. But it has already succeeded in drawing attention to the Green campaign in a seat where Labour's dominance is being tested. As the by-election approaches, voters can expect further direct appeals in a range of languages, as parties compete for every available vote in one of London's most closely watched contests.