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Zack Polanski has announced that he will remain as leader of the Green Party despite his recent defeat in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, pushing back against internal calls for him to step down. Following the election, which he lost to Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali who captured 45% of the vote compared to Polanski’s 33%, pressure mounted on him to resign, especially over his handling of a contentious party conference motion. The Green Party’s overall vote share, however, saw an increase of 22% from the 2024 general election, highlighting a complex electoral outcome.
This pressure intensified significantly after Vivien Lichtenstein, leader of the Jewish Greens, publicly urged Polanski to quit. She criticized him sharply for avoiding a debate on the motion that labelled Zionism as a form of racism, describing this avoidance as a “big mistake.” Lichtenstein emphasized that Polanski had not engaged with the Jewish Greens committee, suggesting a concerning disconnect. Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas also criticized Polanski, citing his failure to demonstrate sufficient leadership on the issue and his absence from the vote on the controversial motion during the party’s conference.
The motion in question, supported by rank-and-file members, defines Zionism as an ideology promoting “an ethnonationalist Jewish state” and advocates for a single democratic Palestinian state encompassing all of historic Palestine, including present-day Israel. Lucas described the motion as “dangerous” and “flawed from top to bottom.” Polanski defended his absence at the vote, explaining that he was focused on campaigning in the constituency. While acknowledging the significant loss, he expressed his commitment to continue leading the party, stressing that the Green movement transcends one election or one internal motion.
Polanski addressed questions about his stance on the motion on Friday, stating he would not have supported the “imperfect” motion unless amended. He condemned the racist ideology that underpins the displacement and genocide of the Palestinian people. When pressed about Israel’s right to exist on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he refrained from a direct yes/no response, instead emphasizing his desire for equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians, and rejecting any state that “oppresses” or commits “apartheid” or “genocide.” Despite internal criticism, Polanski’s popularity among the party’s grassroots may insulate him from immediate leadership challenges.
Additional voices within the Greens expressed varying views on the leadership and broader party issues. Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the party from 2016 to 2021, called on Polanski to “put his hands up” and apologize, attributing recent problems to what he saw as a failure of leadership and a damaging atmosphere within the party. Bartley noted the influx of new members from the left wing of Labour had contributed to changing the Green Party’s dynamic, causing some older supporters to drift away. Meanwhile, Sian Berry, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, expressed readiness to work towards restoring trust, addressing flaws in the motion, and fostering more inclusive policies.
The debate over the Zionism motion has deeply divided the party, with four of the five Green MPs and one deputy leader opposing it. This discord led to the resignation of the Green deputy in Wales and some local councillors, while the European Green Party and some local members have distanced themselves from the motion. Even Prime Minister Andy Burnham weighed in, urging Polanski to reverse the motion, describing it as “completely wrong.” Labour chair Bridget Phillipson drew parallels with her own party’s previous antisemitism scandal, expressing concern that the Greens are confronting a “serious problem” related to antisemitism. Polanski, for his part, has stressed the distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism, reiterating that no one will be excluded from the party based on their faith or religious beliefs
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