A GREEN councillor will run against his party leader Zack Polanski to contest the by-election triggered by ex-PM Sir Keir Starmer’s exit from Parliament, he announced yesterday.

Hamza Chowdhury said Holborn and St Pancras does not need “another MP who arrives during an election campaign” then “disappears once the votes are counted” as he put himself forward for the Green nomination.

The Camden councillor added a “global majority” candidate would be best placed to win the seat and represent the “extraordinary diversity of the communities” in the constituency.

Mr Polanski had previously said he was excited by the prospect of winning the seat and entering Parliament.

Green Party members in the seat will pick the candidate for the by-election, which could provide an early test of PM Andy Burnham’s popularity with the public.

They are expected to decide on their candidate on Thursday, with the result announced on Friday.