The Green Party’s newly elected leader Zack Polanski has branded himself as an “eco populist” promising “a vision of a real radical alternative” and he looks ready to mirror Nigel Farage’s tactics to bring his party into the mainstream.
Polanski has promised “bold action” and “bold leadership” to target environmental and social issues across the UK.
The newly elected 42-year-old leader is certainly unconventional – he is a vegan currently living as a property guardian in Hackney, someone who lives in a vacant building to provide security for cheaper rent.
Polanski worked in the gig economy before pursuing a career in politics in 2015 when he stood as a council candidate in Camden.
He is vocal about his pro-Gaza stance, support of taxing the rich and his views that migrants arriving on small boats are demonised in the UK.
Along with his environmental pledges, Polanski has committed to solving the housing crisis and promoting the arts and culture in the UK.
Before politics, Polanski attended drama school and worked as an actor, youth worker, mental health counsellor and had several roles in hospitality.
Now he has been voted in as the new leader of the Green Party with a landslide victory over former co-leaders Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns, winning with 20,411 votes, to their 3,705.
Caroline Russell, leader of the Greens at the London Assembly, said: “Zack is an incredibly passionate colleague, with a real fire in his belly for change. He's always out meeting the people whose voices he brings into City Hall and very popular around the building.”
Polanski’s popularity at City Hall is reflected in a congratulatory message from Jackie, a canteen sever in the building, who recorded a video for the new leader saying his win was “well deserved.”
Polanski initially started in politics as a member of the Liberal Democrats but moved to the Green Party in 2017.
After being elected as a London Assembly member for the Greens in May 2021, he campaigned for a universal basic income for every Londoner and improvements to housing across the city.
Polanski has served as deputy leader of the Greens since 2022.
As leader of the party, Polanski plans to raise the Greens’ popularity to heights similar to Reform UK. YouGov polls currently indicate that 28 per cent of Britons would consider voting Green.
Mr Polanski plans to lead the party with an “eco-populist” mentality and has indicated he would be open to an alliance with the new party led by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and independent MP Zahra Sultana.
Polanski’s radical approach indicates his desire for the Greens to move leftwards and champion electoral reform.
Mr Polanski said: “My pitch to the country offering a vision of a real radical alternative is only possible because it builds on the success of recent years.
“We stand as a party with our highest ever membership, highest ever polling average, highest ever general election result, highest ever number of MPs and Councillors.
“I come into this role today with urgency, purpose, and a single mission: To build a country where no one is left behind.”
