Mayor of London Sadiq Khan answered a question from Green Party leader Zack Polanski in Urdu during Mayor's Question Time, a move widely seen as a playful response to Polanski's recent campaign video in which he used the language. The exchange took place at the London Assembly on 17 September 2026, marking Polanski's first appearance at the session since being confirmed as the Green candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
Urdu Exchange at City Hall
Polanski, who is standing to become the next MP for Holborn and St Pancras—the constituency vacated by former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer—asked Lord Khan a question about data centres. In reply, the Labour mayor switched to Urdu, the national language of Pakistan, in a nod to Polanski's own use of the language in a campaign video.
According to a translation provided by Lord Khan's office, the mayor said: "Peace be upon you. I was worried that you would ask the question in Urdu, but you asked your question in English. I'll be spending time in Holborn and St Pancras this week and I'm going to be there. Maybe we will meet there."
By-Election Context
The Holborn and St Pancras by-election was triggered by Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as MP. Polanski is one of 15 candidates contesting the seat, including Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali, who also serves as the leader of Camden Council. The Green Party leader's campaign video, which featured him speaking Urdu, was part of his effort to connect with the constituency's diverse electorate.
Khan's Urdu response has drawn attention to the by-election campaign, highlighting the multicultural character of the central London constituency. The mayor's light-hearted reply, delivered in a formal greeting, underscored the political rivalry between Labour and the Green Party in the upcoming vote.
Impact on Campaign
The exchange is expected to feature in local political discourse as the by-election approaches. Polanski's use of Urdu and Khan's subsequent response have both been noted by political observers as examples of how candidates and public figures are engaging with minority language communities. The by-election date has not yet been announced, but the contest is seen as a key test for both Labour and the Green Party in London.
