Zack Polanski's popularity ratings have taken a major hit just days before crucial local elections, following a public row with the chief of the Metropolitan Police over a social media post about the Golders Green arrest.
New polling from More in Common shows the Green Party leader's net approval rating has dropped by 14 points after being publicly criticised by Sir Mark Rowley last week.
In a rare intervention, Sir Mark criticised Mr Polanski for sharing an 'inaccurate' post on X that accused officers of 'repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head' during the arrest of a Golders Green attack suspect, who was already incapacitated after being tasered.
Mr Polanski has faced criticism from within his own party, as well as from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who branded him 'disgraceful' and 'not fit to lead any political party'.
Mr Polanski apologised for the post on Friday, but later said the commissioner's decision to publish an open letter was not 'an appropriate way to do politics' and argued that the police should not be above scrutiny.
The ordeal appears to have damaged his popularity, with his net approval rating dropping to minus 27, placing him below Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage, and Ed Davey.
Luke Tryl, UK director at More in Common, noted that while Mr Polanski inspires some voters, the significant drop indicates that the Golders Green response, retweet, apology, and criticism from other parties have cut through with the public.
Tryl added that the Green Party's image as a force for good may have been tarnished, with some voters reconsidering their support due to associations with antisemitism and perceived weakness on the issue.
Despite this, the Greens are still expected to be among the big winners in the upcoming local elections, particularly in London boroughs where they could challenge Labour's historic stronghold. Reform UK is also forecast to perform well.
The Greens are projected to gain councillors in six London boroughs and may even take outright control of Hackney. In Hastings, where there is no overall control, the party is targeting a takeover.
