Labour has held Holborn and St Pancras in a London by-election, and Green Party leader Zack Polanski is now defending his position. Elsewhere, Westminster deals with dockless bikes, the Midlands has a warning for dog owners and scientists test a natural defence for wheat.
Labour keeps Holborn and St Pancras as Greens fall short
In London, Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali has beaten Green Party leader Zack Polanski to keep the Holborn and St Pancras seat for her party. Activists in Camden say the Greens lost votes over a motion passed by members last weekend calling Zionism racism, and Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors told the Press Association that voters had said they would not back the Greens because of it. If you live in the constituency, Labour’s new MP is now your representative in Parliament.
Source: The Guardian
Polanski says he will stay on as Green leader
Zack Polanski is defending his leadership of the Green Party after losing the by-election and after criticism of how he responded to his members’ motion declaring Zionism a form of racism. He has said he “absolutely” intends to remain leader. The row is worth following if you are weighing up the smaller parties before the next national vote.
Source: BBC News
Westminster seizes more than 1,000 dockless bikes
In London, more than 1,000 dockless bikes have been seized in Westminster, and the London Assembly Transport Committee discussed how to regulate them at a meeting on Thursday. If you ride hire bikes, or simply walk the pavements of central London, the rules that come out of this debate will affect your daily routes.
Source: BBC London
Dog owners asked to keep pets close after attack at nature reserve
A reported dog attack at a nature reserve in the Midlands has led to a “please help” appeal to owners. Visitors are being asked to keep their pets “under close control at all times”. If you walk a dog on reserves in the region, expect this request to apply for your whole visit.
Source: BirminghamLive
A natural fungus may help shield wheat from disease
A study suggests that a naturally occurring fungus could help protect wheat from STB, a disease that can cut yields in half during severe outbreaks. Wheat growers in northern Europe are particularly vulnerable. Wheat goes into everyday foods such as bread and flour, so protecting harvests matters well beyond the farm.
Source: Evening Standard
Emmerdale’s Bradley Riches says he is “more than okay”
Emmerdale actor Bradley Riches has told fans he is “more than okay” after finding a lump. He was seen in a hospital gown while having tests.
Source: Manchester Evening News
UK Today is a curated digest: we summarise and link, the reporting belongs to the publications named. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.
Sources
- BBC London: Over 1,000 dockless bikes seized in Westminster, accessed 9 October 2026
- Manchester Evening News: Emmerdale star gives health update as he's seen in hospital gown after finding lump, accessed 9 October 2026
- BirminghamLive: 'Dog attack' at Midland nature reserve sparks 'please help' message to owners, accessed 9 October 2026
- BBC News: Polanski defends leadership after Zionism row and by-election loss, accessed 9 October 2026
- The Guardian: Labour wins Holborn and St Pancras byelection; Polanski ‘absolutely’ intends to remain Green party leader – UK politics live, accessed 9 October 2026
- Evening Standard: Naturally occurring fungus could help protect wheat from disease – study, accessed 9 October 2026
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