In a political landscape marked by shifting allegiances and heated debates over civil liberties, Zack Polanski, the newly-elected leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, has rapidly emerged as one of the most talked-about figures on the British left. Over the past week, Polanski has used his platform to launch fierce criticisms at the Labour government, advocate for sweeping environmental reforms, and defend the right to protest—often in the face of controversy and personal scrutiny.
Polanski’s ascent comes at a pivotal moment for the Greens. According to the Daily Mail, the party has reached polling parity with the Liberal Democrats, a feat attributed in part to Polanski’s charismatic leadership and savvy use of social media. Time Magazine recently named him one of the world’s “100 most influential rising stars,” noting both his status as the first openly gay man to lead a British political party and his mission to “reclaim progressive patriotism.”
At the Green Party’s annual conference in Bournemouth on October 3, 2025, Polanski delivered his first major speech as leader. He did not hold back in his criticism of the Labour Party, accusing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government of failing to take sufficient action on the climate crisis while simultaneously “cracking down on our rights.” Polanski branded Labour as “hand-maidens” of Reform UK’s politics, signaling his view that the current government is too willing to compromise on progressive values. He also reaffirmed the Green Party’s firm commitment to a pro-immigration stance, a position he sees as central to the party’s identity.
But it was Polanski’s response to recent government actions against pro-Palestine groups that drew the most attention. On October 3, he called for the immediate withdrawal of the government’s proscription of Palestine Action, a group recently labeled a terrorist organization. According to Sky News, Polanski described the move as a “draconian crackdown on the right to protest,” arguing that “every MP who had supported the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization should hang their heads in shame.”
The timing of these remarks was significant. Just days earlier, a deadly attack on a synagogue in Manchester had left two men dead, leading to calls from the Metropolitan Police and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to delay or cancel planned pro-Palestine demonstrations in London. Mahmood went so far as to label a separate protest “dishonorable” and “un-British.” Polanski, himself Jewish and raised in north Manchester, expressed deep sympathy for the victims and the wider community. “My heart is with our community more widely,” he said, but remained adamant that the government’s response should not be to stifle dissent. “We cannot talk about stopping genocide without talking about the draconian crackdown on the right to protest happening against those taking action for Palestine; using terrorist legislation to arrest hundreds and hundreds of protesters for simply holding up a sign.”
Polanski’s stance on Israel and Gaza has been clear and, at times, controversial. He has accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza and has called for the UK to halt arms sales and intelligence sharing with the Israeli government. While the UK government has suspended some arms export licenses to Israel over concerns about potential violations of international law, components for F35 jets—except when sent directly to Israel—remain excluded from the ban, as the UK is part of a broader supply chain for the jets. Polanski has condemned this partial approach, insisting that “we must stop selling arms to Israel. We must stop sharing intelligence. We will do everything we can to stop the genocide.”
The Green Party leader’s willingness to confront both the government and his own party’s critics has won him admirers and detractors alike. During an interview with BBC South’s political editor Peter Henley, Polanski outlined his vision for the party’s future, emphasizing a relentless focus on lowering people’s bills and expanding public ownership. “Everyone knows the Green Party cares about tackling the climate crisis and protecting the environment,” he said. “But what they don’t necessarily know is that we have plans to fund the National Health Service properly, to put money into SEND education, to bring the water companies back into public ownership.”
Polanski’s proposals are ambitious. He advocates for the nationalization of major water companies like Southern Water and Thames Water, dismissing concerns about the cost. “I don’t accept it would take millions to buy at all because those water companies aren’t worth anything,” he argued, citing their mounting debts as evidence of the failure of privatization. “The experiment has been privatisation. And privatisation under every single measure has utterly failed.”
His environmental agenda includes a plan to install solar panels on every building in the country, a move he believes would not only boost renewable energy but also reinvigorate British manufacturing. “We need to make sure that we’re investing in British manufacturing,” Polanski said, suggesting that these industries should also be publicly owned. He criticized government spending on nuclear weapons and fossil fuels, urging instead for investment in “things that are good for this country—good for our communities and that are built for people and not profit.”
Polanski’s leadership has also seen the Green Party become a refuge for disillusioned Labour councillors, particularly those dissatisfied with Labour’s stance on Gaza and social welfare. In 2025 alone, 21 defections from Labour to the Greens have been recorded across England and Wales. “If people are aligned with our values I absolutely want them to join the Green Party,” Polanski told the BBC, highlighting the party’s appeal to those seeking “a party that will stick to its promises and says ‘we are there to serve your communities.’”
Yet, Polanski’s meteoric rise has not gone without scrutiny. As detailed in a recent Daily Mail profile, questions have been raised about the authenticity of his working-class credentials. Born David Stephen Paulden, he changed his name to Zack Polanski and attended Stockport Grammar School on a scholarship. His family, the article suggests, had business interests in real estate and maintained a lifestyle that was far from impoverished. Nevertheless, Polanski maintains that his experiences—both privileged and challenging—have shaped his outlook and commitment to social justice.
His past is marked by a blend of activism, performance, and controversy. From being arrested during an Extinction Rebellion protest to making unorthodox claims as a hypnotherapist, Polanski has repeatedly apologized for youthful missteps while steering the conversation toward his vision for a more equitable society. He has also been candid about his journey from the Liberal Democrats to the Greens, describing his shift as motivated by a desire to find a party truly committed to progressive change.
As the Green Party continues to attract new members and defectors, and as Polanski’s profile grows on the national stage, the coming months will test whether his brand of “eco-populism” can translate into electoral success. For now, Zack Polanski stands at the center of a movement seeking to redefine the British left—one that is as much about environmental stewardship as it is about defending civil liberties and social justice.
With the political spotlight firmly on him, Polanski’s next steps will shape not only the future of the Green Party but potentially the broader direction of progressive politics in the UK.
