At his first Green Party annual conference in 2025, Zack Polanski proclaimed his ambition to replace the Labour Party as the main party of the left in Britain. This bold assertion energised his party, and over the following months, it appeared as if such an improbable revolution could actually happen, reports BritPanorama.
The Greens advanced in the opinion polls, challenging the two traditional parties of government. The party peaked in April at an average of 17% in the polls, just behind Labour and the Conservatives, both at 19%. Throughout this period, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK led but began losing ground, indicating a possible reshaping of the political landscape.
However, as the party reconvenes for its conference, support for the Greens has dwindled. Even prior to Andy Burnham’s rise to the premiership, the party’s backing began to subside. The Greens have now been overtaken by the Liberal Democrats, with the latest average from six polls showing Ed Davey’s party at 10.3% and the Greens at 10.2%, positioning them as the fifth party in the current five-party system.
How did Polanski respond in his big speech?
In his speech to delegates in Brighton, Polanski delineated the main differences with Andy Burnham’s government on climate change and Palestine. He accused the Labour government of “bending to the whims of fossil fuel giants” regarding environmental policies. On the Palestinian issue, he condemned it for criminalising support for Palestine Action, asserting it was “so determined to crush dissent that it labels those with views it doesn’t want to hear as terrorists.”
Polanski redoubled his appeal to the Corbynite faction of Labour by stating that the Greens’ priorities include “taxing the very richest, bringing our public services back into public hands and ending rip-off Britain.” However, Burnham has garnered considerable voter support by addressing these very concerns, leaving Polanski’s pitch seeming repetitive.
Burnham’s rhetorical prowess has received notable acclaim, whereas Polanski’s speaking style was described as pedestrian by comparison.
Is the charge of antisemitism justified?
Polanski’s personal ratings in opinion polls have plummeted due to a series of gaffes that appeared to downplay the threat of antisemitism towards British Jews. Notably, he criticised police actions during an incident in Golders Green involving a man threatening Jews with a knife, framing it as a matter of “perceived unsafety” for the Jewish community.
The Green Party conference has attracted media scrutiny regarding a motion, not opposed by Polanski, that declares Zionism as racism. A joint letter from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Community Security Trust, and the Jewish Leadership Council stated, “This motion’s call for the elimination of Israel, including through violence, shows utter disregard for the security of Israeli Jews, who account for around half of all Jews in the world… The leadership of the Green Party have not opposed this motion shows a staggering indifference to the welfare of British Jews.” Polanski did not address this criticism during his speech.
What will happen in next week’s by-election?
The betting market currently gives Polanski an 11% chance of winning the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, following the vacancy left by Keir Starmer. In pre-conference interviews, he dismissed suggestions that losing the by-election would impact his leadership. However, such a defeat would be a setback for his standing.
A win for Sagal Abdi-Wali, Labour’s candidate and the leader of Camden council, would bolster Burnham’s position. The new prime minister has already demonstrated his capability to defeat Reform in his own by-election in Makerfield, and this contest is likely to confirm his ability to neutralise Labour’s threats.
What about the longer view?
To maintain relevance, Polanski must not provide the right-wing press with ammunition to undermine him. The day he spoke at the conference, the Daily Mail refuted his claim that his family fled from the Nazis, citing that all four of his grandparents were born in Britain prior to World War II. This follows revelations that he neglected to pay council tax while residing on a houseboat in London and did not participate in this year’s local elections.
Ultimately, Polanski must reclaim the charisma that initially secured him the leadership. He needs innovative strategies to reach out to Labour supporters concerned about climate change, Palestine, and economic inequality — so that when Burnham falters, the Greens can capitalise on any potential gains.
