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IT seems like we have been waiting years for some excitement in progressive politics.
Despite a General Election last year and a Labour landslide victory, the overall sense is that UK politics is playing on the same old loop constantly.
Enter Zack Polanski. You probably saw his name plastered all over your social media feed after he was elected Green Party leader. He certainly was the subject of every other post on mine.
It appears he's come along with a plan to shake things up – and it's working.
After being named as the new Green Party leader in England and Wales on Tuesday – in which he secured a whopping 85% of the membership vote – he proceeded to go on a barnstorming media round on Wednesday where he was combative, direct and spoke the language of normal people.
In his opening remarks as leader on Tuesday, he said to Labour that the Greens are not here to be “concerned by you” but are here “to replace you”.
That’s more like it. Get him and Keir Starmer in the ring!
This kind of bullish fighting talk continued into Wednesday, where he told Labour to stop “aping” Reform. He even said the only way he could work with Starmer was if he had a brain transplant.
He came straight out and said the whole framing of the migrant crisis is “racist and fascist” as he called on politicians to stop pointing at the small boats, and instead look towards the private jets and yachts.
It has shaken social media to see a politician saying these things live on air. There are few, if any, politicians offering this unapologetic approach, speaking in a conversational way that real people can relate to.
You may not agree with Zack's politics, but surely everyone can agree the media strategy and presentation is on point.
There are a fair few politicians in our Scottish Parliament who could take a leaf out of Polanski’s book.
Every party across the chamber – from the Scottish Tories who are losing relevance faster than Liz Truss left Downing Street, to the SNP who are struggling to appeal to fed-up and desperate independence supporters – is aware of the disillusionment spreading like a disease among voters, but they are failing to provide a quick antidote.
Polanski appears to understand a fundamental concept in getting people engaged and interested – and talking like an actual human being is a big part of connecting with the public.
How does a football manager get the best out of their players? Connect with them.
How does a business sell its product to a customer? Connect with them.
How does a parent develop a relationship with their child? Connect with them.
How does a politician get voters interested in what they have to say? You get my drift.
Polanski is hearing how voters feel about how the country is right now and standing up for them by singing from their hymn sheet. More of it in Scotland, please.
You can get The National's Real Scottish Politics newsletter free and direct to your inbox every weekday. To sign up, click HERE and click the + button.
