Reform UK has issued a direct challenge to Green Party leader Zack Polanski for a televised debate, in a bold move designed to squeeze Labour into third place during a critical Manchester by-election. Nigel Farage's party sent a formal letter to the Greens today, proposing a 'head to head debate' in Gorton and Denton later this week.
The Debate Challenge and Political Context
The letter, dispatched by Reform's head of policy Zia Yusuf and obtained by the Mail, throws down the gauntlet to Mr Polanski with an unusual concession: 'I will even let you choose a moderator of your choice.' This challenge emerges as the Green leader recently made controversial remarks suggesting that current drug laws are racist, advocating for the legalisation of heroin and crack cocaine to allow people to 'have a good time' safely.
Mr Polanski argued that existing drug policy is 'very racialised,' noting: 'Very often it is young black people who are stopped and searched in the street... despite the fact there is no evidence they are more likely to be holding or taking drugs.' However, the London Assembly member clarified that he has personally never consumed any drugs or alcohol, stating on BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: 'I've actually never taken a drug in my life, or even drunk alcohol, but I still don't sit here as the fun police. I very clearly believe people should be able to do what they want to do. It just wasn't for me.'
By-Election Dynamics and Party Positioning
The debate challenge follows Sir Keir Starmer's recent accusation that the Green Party is 'high on drugs, soft on Putin,' as campaigning intensifies for the Gorton and Denton by-election on February 26. Both Labour and the Greens have positioned themselves as the only viable alternative to defeat Reform, each downplaying the other's prospects. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage's party has framed the vote as a 'referendum' on Sir Keir Starmer, with Reform candidate and GB News presenter Matt Goodwin aiming to capitalise on the Prime Minister's unpopularity.
In his letter, Mr Yusuf congratulated Mr Polanski 'on the success you have had since bursting onto the scene' and described the Greens' polling figures as 'remarkable.' However, the correspondence also contained pointed jabs at Mr Polanski's previous career claims about hypnotically enlarging women's breasts, alongside criticisms of Green policies on immigration, drugs, and plans to scrap the nuclear deterrent.
The letter explicitly states: 'I propose that we discuss these matters, as well as any topics you wish to put to me about Reform's policy platform, in a head to head debate. As you know, there is a by-election in Manchester where there is an expectation that your party will translate its polling success into challenging Reform at the ballot box. I will be there this coming Thursday, and propose we hold the debate there.'
Background and Candidate Profiles
Mr Yusuf and Mr Polanski have a history of confrontational exchanges, including a fiery BBC Question Time appearance last year where the Green leader labelled his opponent's views as 'racism and fascism.' This latest challenge adds another layer to their ongoing political rivalry.
Separately, it was revealed that the Greens' by-election candidate, Hannah Spencer, supports decriminalising prostitution and has indicated she is 'open' to abolishing the police. The 34-year-old plumber and trainee plasterer has also criticised last year's Supreme Court biological sex ruling as 'regressive and unjust' and faced allegations of drawing parallels between the Holocaust and Israel's actions in Gaza, which the party firmly denied.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives have announced former police officer Charlotte Cadden as their candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election. Ms Cadden, who served for 30 years with Greater Manchester Police and the Metropolitan Police, pledged to be a 'no-nonsense champion' for constituents, asserting that people in the constituency have been 'let down' by Labour.
The Green Party was approached for comment regarding the debate challenge.
