What the register shows
The entry reflects the most recently published version of the register. Parliament publishes online updates every two weeks while the House is sitting, with less frequent updates at other times. An interest remains listed for 12 months after it ends.
From the by-election to the Commons
Abdi-Wali succeeded Sir Keir Starmer after winning the October 8 by-election, becoming the constituency's first woman MP since its creation in 1983. BBC News reported that she was also the first British Somali woman elected to Parliament.
Labour selected her on September 9, 2026, from a longlist of more than 100 candidates. In the election, she secured 12,292 votes, or 45.2%, while Green Party leader Zack Polanski received 8,928, or 32.8%. Labour's majority was 3,364.
On October 12, Abdi-Wali took her seat in the House of Commons and swore the oath of allegiance with a copy of the Koran in her hand. Fellow Labour MPs Natasha Irons, who represents Croydon East, and Liam Conlon, who represents Beckenham and Penge, accompanied her.
Her background in Camden and Labour
Born in Somalia in 1984, Abdi-Wali arrived in the UK at seven after her family fled the Somali Civil War. She came with her mother and four brothers, and the family settled in Gospel Oak, Camden.
Her career before Parliament included work as a housing officer for Camden Council. After joining Labour in 2015, she spent four years chairing the Holborn and St Pancras Constituency Labour Party. In 2023, she became chair of Labour's National Women's Committee.
Abdi-Wali became the first Black woman to lead Camden London Borough Council when she was elected leader on May 20, 2026. Her council experience also included serving as cabinet member for better homes. According to the council, she oversaw a £670 million program to improve its social housing stock in that role.
Priorities as an MP
Following her election, Abdi-Wali identified housing and homelessness as priorities for her parliamentary work. She also advocated public ownership of Thames Water and wider access to jobs and apprenticeships for young people.
