Zack Polanski approval ratings drop to record low
Zack Polanski’s approval ratings have plummeted following internal divisions within the Green Party and public backlash over a controversial motion branding “Zionism as racism”, reports BritPanorama.
The Green Party leader is now facing calls from party members for his resignation after the passing of the contentious motion and his subsequent electoral defeat to Labour in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
Currently, Mr. Polanski holds the lowest popularity of any national leader, with a rating that has dropped to minus 36. Public sentiment towards him turned sharply negative, with a recent Ipsos survey revealing that 52 percent of respondents hold an unfavourable view of him, a six-point increase since September.
This marks an unprecedented moment, as more than half of the population has expressed disapproval. In stark contrast, only 16 percent reported a positive opinion of the Green Party leader.
The Ipsos poll indicated that opposition to Mr. Polanski is particularly strong among older demographics, but he has also seen a decline in approval ratings among those under 35, where his net score fell from plus 16 in April to just plus two.
Criticism of Mr. Polanski has mounted following the Green Party conference in Brighton, which endorsed the motion labeling Zionism as “racism”. Vivien Lichtenstein, leader of the Jewish Greens, has publicly called for his resignation, stating he made a “big mistake” by abstaining from a debate regarding the motion.
Several senior figures within the Green Party have echoed these concerns, with former leader Caroline Lucas questioning Mr. Polanski’s leadership capabilities and describing the current situation as “untenable”. Labour has intensified pressure, telling local Green groups to distance themselves from the motion or risk losing coalition support.
The controversial motion was passed with approximately 1,000 votes in favour and around 800 against during the conference. In the aftermath, Mr. Polanski attempted to distance himself from the vote, claiming he would only have endorsed a modified version of the motion.
In an additional setback, just days following the conference, Mr. Polanski faced defeat in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. The Ipsos poll, taken shortly after this loss, revealed that only Andy Burnham among senior UK politicians maintained a positive favorability score, achieving a net score of plus eight.
Comparatively, Kemi Badenoch’s score stands at minus 12, and Sir Ed Davey’s at minus 15. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s score is even lower, at minus 31, with 56 percent of respondents expressing an unfavourable view of him.
Keiran Pedley, UK director of politics at Ipsos, remarked on the toll recent events have taken on Mr. Polanski, characterizing it as a “bruising month” for his leadership. He noted that Mr. Burnham appears to be gaining traction among left-wing voters, suggesting that the battle for their support could pose a significant challenge for the Green Party moving forward.
The unfolding events highlight a critical juncture for Mr. Polanski and the Green Party, reflecting broader tensions within UK politics as parties reassess their stances in response to public sentiment.
