{
  "id": 11090844,
  "title": "Zack Polanski’s big gamble — and the plan if it fails",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/zack-polanskis-big-gamble-and-the-plan-if-it-fails",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-30T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Politico EU",
    "slug": "politico-eu",
    "url": "https://www.politico.eu/article/zack-polanskis-big-gamble-and-the-plan-if-it-fails/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Green leader Zack Polanski faces a significant gamble in his bid to win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, scheduled for next Thursday. The seat has been held by Labour since its creation in 1983, and Polanski's chances of success are already under scrutiny. His decision to stand in this constituency is seen as a high-risk, high-reward strategy, with even his closest allies admitting to the challenges involved. The vote comes just days after the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, expanded his center-left party into territory previously dominated by the Greens. As the Green Party prepares for its conference in Brighton, senior party figures are already laying out contingency plans in case Polanski's campaign fails. While Polanski's supporters argue that he cannot be written off after this, and his overwhelming party support ensures he still has a chance, the stakes are high for the Green Party's reputation. With Holborn and St Pancras being a Labour stronghold, Polanski's success could help kickstart his party's stalled momentum.",
  "summary": "The Greens are bracing for questions about their leader's future — and wider strategy — if they lose the Holborn and St Pancras by-election next Thursday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}