Green Party leader Zack Polanski has admitted that he may not have paid the correct amount of council tax for his houseboat in London, which is currently under scrutiny as his potential primary residence. A spokesperson for the Green Party described the situation as an “unintentional mistake” and confirmed that Mr Polanski is taking immediate steps to settle any outstanding tax liabilities.
Contradiction of Earlier Claims
This admission contradicts earlier statements made by the Green Party, which claimed that Mr Polanski rented a room elsewhere and only used the boat occasionally. Government guidance clearly states that council tax is due on a boat if it serves as an individual’s “sole or main” residence, a point reinforced by tax lawyer Dan Neidle in his analysis of the case.
Political Context
The controversy emerges at a time when Mr Polanski has been celebrating significant gains for the Green Party in recent local elections, including two mayoral victories in London. He previously declared that “two-party politics is dead” following these successes. The council tax issue now threatens to overshadow those achievements, as questions arise about his personal financial arrangements.
Mr Polanski has apologised for the error and is cooperating with authorities to rectify the situation. The Green Party has expressed full confidence in his leadership, despite the ongoing scrutiny.
