Zack Polanski's tenure as Green Party leader has come to an end following his defeat in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, a contest that has laid bare the party's internal divisions and its leader's failings.
Despite finishing third, Polanski still attracted 9,000 votes in the constituency formerly represented by Keir Starmer. However, critics argue these votes were cast not for Polanski personally, but for what they describe as the "Islamist Gaza Party" – a label now applied to the Greens.
Controversial Figures and Motions
The party's deputy leader, Mothin Ali, has faced criticism for calling a Leeds rabbi an "animal" and for attending protests in support of the Iranian regime where crowds chanted "Allahu Akbar". Meanwhile, Green activist Lubna Speitan, who introduced the "Zionism is Racism" motion, has been linked to a close friendship with an Al Qaeda terrorist.
Polanski, who is Jewish, was notably absent from the vote on the Zionism is Racism motion at the party conference in Brighton. Days later, he claimed he would have voted against the original motion, but his absence has been interpreted as cowardice and a betrayal of Jewish members.
A Leader Under Fire
In a recent interview, Polanski refused five times to confirm whether Israel has a right to exist. This, combined with his no-show at the conference vote, has led to accusations of hypocrisy and a lack of principles.
While Polanski succeeded in tripling the Greens' vote share in the by-election, he still trailed the winner by 3,000 votes. His failure to win has been described as the beginning of the end for his leadership, with many now viewing him as a coward and a man devoid of loyalty.
The party is now seen as toxic and disconnected from environmental issues, with members resigning in large numbers. Calls for Polanski to resign are growing louder, but he has so far ignored them. As a self-described narcissist, he is unlikely to step down willingly, but his political career appears to be over. The question is not if he will go, but when.
