Labour candidate misses homelessness debate ahead of by-election
Sagal Abdi-Wali's absence from a Streets Kitchen hustings has drawn criticism from organisers.
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Sagal Abdi-Wali, the Labour candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, faced criticism for failing to attend a hustings event focused on homelessness. The event, organised by the Camden-based group Streets Kitchen, took place on Tuesday 6 October 2026. Organisers stated that Abdi-Wali did not attend nor send a representative, and had not replied to their invitation.
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Elodie Berland, a coordinator for Streets Kitchen, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the group had contacted Abdi-Wali via email and social media. "We didn’t even get a ‘sorry we can’t make it, but we’ll send someone’. Nothing," Berland said. She added that homelessness should be a priority for Abdi-Wali, who has been a Camden resident for 30 years and previously held a housing brief in the council cabinet.
Streets Kitchen, a Community Interest Company, provides daily outreach, food, and supplies to people experiencing homelessness. Representatives from the Liberal Democrats, The Greens, and the Workers Party attended the hustings, with candidates or their representatives speaking on housing and temporary accommodation issues. They unanimously opposed enforcement measures such as Community Protection Notices for rough sleeping.
Homelessness figures in Camden
Labour favoured to keep Holborn & St Pancras seat as Greens brace for by‑election test
The contest on 8 October pits Labour’s Sagal Abdi‑Wali against Green leader Zack Polanski, with the outcome set to influence party morale and future council control in London.
Camden Council reported spending £39 million on homelessness and rough-sleeping services in the 2024/25 financial year. This spending followed a reported 26 per cent rise in people sleeping on the streets. The number of individuals recorded sleeping rough in the borough increased significantly between May and June 2026. In May 2026, there were 103 people recorded as sleeping rough, which rose to 240 in June 2026, representing a 133 per cent increase.
A spokesperson for the Labour campaign stated that the party receives numerous invitations and it has not been possible to fulfil every request. They added that "prior commitments had already been made" when this particular invitation was received, for which they were "very grateful".
By-election details
The Holborn and St Pancras by-election was triggered by the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer as MP. The election is scheduled to take place on Thursday 8 October 2026. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. Voters will need to show original photo identification at their polling station.
Questions this report answers
+Why did Sagal Abdi-Wali miss the homelessness hustings?
Labour's candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, Sagal Abdi-Wali, did not attend the Streets Kitchen hustings on Tuesday 6 October 2026. A Labour campaign spokesperson stated that prior commitments had already been made when the invitation was received, and that it had not been possible to fulfil every request.
+What is the latest on homelessness in Camden?
Camden Council reported spending £39 million on homelessness and rough-sleeping services in 2024/25. The number of people recorded sleeping rough in Camden rose from 103 in May 2026 to 240 in June 2026, a 133 per cent increase.
+When is the Holborn and St Pancras by-election?
The Holborn and St Pancras by-election is scheduled to take place on Thursday 8 October 2026. Polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm on the day of the election.
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