Understand
Sagal Abdi-Wali wins Holborn and St Pancras by-election to become UK's first British Somali MP
Overview
Sagal Abdi-Wali has won the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, making history as the first British Somali person to become an MP. A 42-year-old former child refugee who grew up in Camden and previously served as leader of Camden Council, Abdi-Wali stated that tackling homelessness and the housing crisis drove her into politics and will be her main priority.
Key points
- Sagal Abdi-Wali won the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, becoming the first British Somali MP.
- She arrived in the UK from Somalia as a child refugee in the 1990s and grew up in Camden.
- Abdi-Wali previously worked as a housing officer, became a councillor in 2022, and was elected leader of Camden Council in May.
- She has identified housing, tackling homelessness, and building more social and affordable homes as her primary focuses.
- She also supports bringing Thames Water into public ownership and improving opportunities for young people.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham and former leader Sir Keir Starmer both congratulated her on the victory.