Green Party leader Zack Polanski: 'Alarm bells of authoritarianism are ringing loud and clear'

Zack Polanski said the Green Party would "never dance to the tune" of Reform UK. Credit: PA

The Green Party leader has said the "alarm bells of authoritarianism are ringing loud and clear", claiming the Labour government is handing the UK "on a plate to the forces around Nigel Farage".

Zack Polanski was speaking at the Green Party conference in Bournemouth, his first since winning the party leadership election last month.

He used his wide-ranging speech to cover the party's perspective on the war in Gaza, migration policy, and a strong criticism of both the Labour and Reform parties.

Labour are 'handmaidens' of Reform UK

He accused Sir Keir Starmer’s government of failing to go far enough on issues like the climate crisis while “cracking down on our rights”, and branded Labour the “handmaidens” of Reform’s politics.

Addressing the conference on Friday afternoon, Polanski insisted his party could “rocket through the polls” in the same way Reform UK has, but with a “politics of hope” rather than “despair”.

Polanski also used his speech to take aim at Reform leader Nigel Farage, branding him a "Trump-loving, tax-avoiding, science-denying, NHS-dismantling corporate stooge."

He called Starmer's government the "handmaidens of this dangerous, deceitful politics".

“The prime minister might call this an island of strangers. When Farage says jump, Labour might say ‘how high’."

But he said the Green Party would "never dance to the tune" of Reform UK.

“We are under no illusion as to the threat we face in this county. A march in London addressed by a who’s who of the far right. A party leading in the polls with plans to deport our friends, our neighbours, our family members," he said.

"I'm going to say, we'll say it loud, we'll say it clear: migrants and refugees are welcome here."

Polanski speaking during the Green Party conference on Friday. Credit: PA

'Horrific terrorist attack'

Polanski, who is Jewish and grew up in Greater Manchester, also spoke about the "horrific terrorist attack" on a Manchester synagogue on Thursday.

"As a Jewish man raised in north Manchester, I feel this deeply and my heart is with the community."

He went on to speak about the role of immigration in his own family history, calling it a "common Jewish experience".

"My Jewish ancestry is confusing and muddled because we were constantly on the run," he said.

"They changed their name to sound more English, and I changed it back, knowing that real pride comes from no longer hiding who you are."

War in Gaza

Turning to the war in Gaza, Polanski said the Green Party would "never be silent" about the "mass slaughter" in Palestine.

He also described the prime minister's decision to recognise a state of Palestine as "deeply cynical and morbid", accusing the government of being "an active participant in the murdering of Palestinians".

Addressing the conference, he said: "When mass slaughter is happening in Palestine, we will not be silent. When governments try to silence dissent, we will not be silent.

"And when Keir Starmer, in one of the most deeply cynical and morbid acts I’ve seen in my lifetime, decides to recognise a Palestinian state at the same moment that his government is an active participant in the murdering of the Palestinians, then we must never be silent.

Zack Polanski is embraced by deputy leader Rachel Millward after his speech during the conference. Credit: PA

“Let it be heard across our country, but a call that is now echoing around the world: we must stop selling arms to Israel, we must stop sharing intelligence, we will do everything we can to stop the genocide.”

He also criticised the terrorist ban on Palestine Action. His comments came after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that pro-Palestinian marches that took place last night after the Manchester synagogue attack were "dishonourable".

“The proscription of Palestine Action must be withdrawn, and every parliamentarian, Labour, Tory, Reform, even Lib Dem, who failed to vote against it, need to hang their heads in shame," he said.

Polanski accused the Labour government of "cracking down on our rights", and called the proscription of Palestine Action "draconian".

"From terrorist proscription against protestors, to banning journalists from their conference, to diving into a rushed, evidence-free plan for Digital IDs that are likely to discriminate against minorities.

"The alarm bells of authoritarianism are ringing loud and clear."

Wealth inequality

The Green Party leader told the conference it was time to take back power and wealth from the "tiny few".

Making an appeal to voters ahead of the local elections in May next year, Polanski called for a tax on the assets of the wealthiest 1% of people, with the aim of reducing inequality.

He said he aims for the Greens to create “a country we can all afford to live in”.

"This is a country that has so much going for it, but we have been time and time again failed by a political class poisoned by extreme wealth. And you can see that poison every single day."

He spoke of a rise in the number of rough sleepers, increased bills from water companies, and the rising cost of living.

"At every opportunity, from the doorstep to the TV studio, our message from the Green Party is this: 'we will bring down your bills, we will cut the cost of living, and we will protect our NHS.'"

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Polanski ended his speech by calling for "bold" politics ahead of the 2029 general election. He said the party will be "fighting to win more seats than ever before".

"We will convert our 39 second places into many new MPs," he said.

"We are here and we are ready to win."

The party’s membership numbers have increased by nearly a fifth since Polanski beat a joint ticket from MPs Adrian Ramsey and Ellie Chowns, officials have said.

Responding to Polanski’s speech, a Labour spokesperson said: “It is no surprise that Zack Polanski, a man who said he wanted to learn from Nigel Farage, has done so in his speech today – using his platform to sow division and grievance.

“Labour firmly chooses the path of national renewal. Only our Labour government is driving forward the change working people voted for, to renew our country, keep Britain safe, and make sure people across all corners of the UK feel better off.”

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