Sagal Abdi-Wali condemns Reform UK rhetoric ahead of by-election

Sagal Abdi-Wali, the Labour candidate for the upcoming Holborn and St Pancras by-election, has described comments made by Reform UK's Zia Yusuf as "quite sad". Ms Abdi-Wali, who also serves as the leader of Camden council, expressed concern that this type of rhetoric could deter young individuals from pursuing careers in politics and public service.

Mr Yusuf, Reform UK's home affairs spokesman, posted on X that Ms Abdi-Wali "was born in Somalia", adding "Do you understand what’s happening?". Ms Abdi-Wali, who arrived in Britain as a child refugee from Somalia, addressed the remarks during a visit to Capital City College campus in Kings Cross this week. She told The Standard that while the comments did not personally affect her, she worried about their potential impact on young people considering public life.

She stated, "I think it's quite sad. It didn't personally affect me. But I do think about how it might affect young people who might be interested in getting into politics or community work and seeing that kind of negativity and that rhetoric and walking away." Ms Abdi-Wali emphasised the value of diversity in Camden, describing it as a key strength and an important part of her own story and that of many residents across the borough and the country.

Ms Abdi-Wali aims to encourage those who might be discouraged from entering public life, stating, "I just want to, to those people be much more of a voice and let them know that they're, this is a world for them, that this is the place for them and that they have voices like me fighting for them and so many others around the country as well."

The Holborn and St Pancras by-election is scheduled for 8 October. Ms Abdi-Wali became leader of Camden council following the local elections in May, after her predecessor lost his seat. The Labour candidate's campaign is reportedly rooted in her experience of the borough and its diverse communities.