Full Breakdown
Green Party Turmoil: Leadership Challenge After Controversial Zionism Motion
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The Conference Decision and Leadership Absence
At the Green Party of England and Wales conference in Brighton, delegates adopted a motion that describes Zionism as racism and calls for the state of Israel to be replaced by a single Palestinian state. The motion passed despite two amendments—one endorsing a two-state solution—that were rejected. Party leader Zack Polanski was not present for the debate; he was campaigning in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, where he finished second to Labour. In a post-by-election interview, Polanski said he would have voted against the motion had he been at the conference.
Membership Growth and Electoral Setback
Since Polanski became leader in September 2025, Green Party membership has risen from roughly 60,000 to about 220,000, according to the *Mirror*. The same outlet notes that the Holborn and St Pancras contest marked the party’s second-best by-election result in its history, yet the loss to Labour highlighted a leadership crisis.
Official Responses
Polanski defended his absence by emphasizing the importance of the by-election, stating, “The first thing is, I was running in a very important national by-election” (see Verbatim Quotes).
The Green Party’s constitution does not provide a formal mechanism for removing a leader. Leaders are re-elected by party members every two years; Polanski, who took office in September 2025, will face a scheduled leadership election next summer.
Criticism and Calls for Resignation
The motion has provoked sharp criticism from within the party and from Labour MPs. Vivien Lichtenstein, leader of the Jewish Greens, told Times Radio that Polanski’s failure to vote constituted a “dereliction of duty” and urged him to resign. Former co-leader Caroline Lucas echoed this sentiment, stating, “No, I think he should resign.” (see Verbatim Quotes).
Former co-leader Jonathan Bartley called on Polanski to “put his hands up” and apologise, describing the episode as a “failure of leadership.”
Data & Statistics
- Membership increase: ~60,000 -> ~220,000 (source: *Mirror*).
- By-election result: Polanski finished second to Labour (multiple sources).
- Second motion at the conference was defeated by 1,026 votes to 684 (source: *Daily Mail*).
Verbatim Quotes
- “No, I think he should resign.” — Caroline Lucas, former Green Party leader
- “The first thing is, I was running in a very important national by-election,” — Zack Polanski, Green Party leader
- “Demanding that there is a one-state solution. I don’t think that is up to the British government, or indeed certainly not up to the Green Party of England and Wales at a Brighton conference to decide.” — Nick Robinson, journalist
- “He's been elected for two years and so he has another year of his term to run. We don't do things in the Green Party the way that other political parties do. We don't depose leaders by gossip and criticism.” — Jenny Jones, Green Party peer
What's Next
Under party rules, a leadership election is scheduled for next summer, giving Green Party members the formal opportunity to reaffirm or replace Polanski. In the interim, the party faces internal debate over the conference motion and its broader implications for party unity and public perception.