In a blistering address that set the stage for a fierce political battle, Green Party Deputy Leader Zack Polanski has launched a scathing assault on Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party, accusing it of abandoning its principles and betraying progressive voters.
Speaking at the Green Party's autumn conference in Brighton, Polanski didn't hold back in his criticism of the opposition party, positioning the Greens as the true home for voters disillusioned with what he called Labour's shift to the right.
'Tory-lite' Labour Abandoning Core Values
Polanski's speech painted a picture of a Labour Party that has systematically dismantled its progressive credentials under Starmer's leadership. "They've U-turned on the green prosperity plan, they've U-turned on workers' rights, they've U-turned on public ownership," he declared to applause from party members.
The Green deputy leader argued that Labour's transformation into what he termed "Tory-lite" has created a political vacuum that his party is ready to fill. "When Labour abandons the field, the Greens are there," he stated, positioning his party as the natural alternative for voters seeking genuine progressive policies.
Direct Challenge to Starmer's Leadership
In some of his most pointed remarks, Polanski directly challenged Starmer's approach to leadership and principle. "Leadership isn't about telling people what you think they want to hear," he argued. "It's about standing up for what you believe in, even when it's difficult."
The speech represented a significant escalation in the Greens' political strategy, moving from polite disagreement to direct confrontation with Labour over what Polanski sees as the soul of progressive politics in Britain.
Building Momentum for Electoral Breakthrough
Polanski's confident tone reflected the Greens' growing ambitions following recent electoral successes. The party now has its highest-ever number of councillors and secured nearly 8% of the vote in this year's local elections.
"We are building something special," Polanski told conference delegates, outlining a vision where the Greens could challenge Labour in urban areas and university towns where progressive voters feel increasingly alienated by Starmer's centrist pivot.
The speech sets the stage for what could become one of the most interesting political dynamics in the run-up to the next general election, with the Greens positioning themselves as the standard-bearers for voters who feel politically homeless in Starmer's Britain.
