Green Party leader Zack Polanski has launched a fierce defence of his party's controversial drugs policy while condemning what he describes as "vile" political attacks from Labour, as campaigning in the crucial Gorton and Denton by-election enters its final 48 hours.
Drugs Policy Debate Intensifies
Mr Polanski, speaking during another visit to the Greater Manchester constituency, robustly defended his party's position after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer declared the Greens' plan to legalise drugs as "disgusting" from his perspective as a father of a teenager. Labour has further claimed the policy would effectively transform parks and playgrounds into "crack dens" across communities.
"Let me speak with absolute clarity," Mr Polanski told the Press Association. "What Keir Starmer and this Labour Government have said on drugs policy is vile. It debases politics. And actually, I think people are sick of it, because I think people recognise it's an attack on a party that's trying to have a sensible grown up conversation about a really serious issue."
Public Health Approach Advocated
The Green leader emphasised that Britain currently suffers from the worst rate of drug-related deaths across the whole of Europe, a critical fact he argues is consistently missing from political discussions. Mr Polanski asserted that the decades-long "war on drugs" has comprehensively failed, necessitating a fundamentally different approach focused on regulation and public health rather than criminalisation.
"Sadly, in a playground, people have access to drugs," Mr Polanski explained. "So, what we're talking about is regulating drugs. We are talking about regulating drugs and controlling drugs, because the war on drugs has failed. We need a different approach." He accused Labour of engaging in "cheap political attacks for short term gains" rather than addressing the complex reality of drug policy.
By-Election Battle Heats Up
Labour faces a significant electoral challenge to retain the previously rock-solid Greater Manchester constituency, confronting a dual threat from both Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin and Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer. In the 2024 general election, Labour secured the seat with a substantial majority of 13,413 votes and captured more than half of all votes cast.
However, the party's plummeting popularity since Sir Keir Starmer entered Number 10 has rendered the constituency potentially vulnerable. The Prime Minister made his first visit to the constituency on Tuesday, ahead of Thursday's polling day, telling Labour Party activists the election represented a "battle of values" and warning that voting Green would inadvertently enable "toxic" Reform UK to capture the seat.
Gaza Conflict Comments
Mr Polanski also defended his previous characterisation of the conflict in Gaza as a "genocide," which he claims the current Labour Government is actively "enabling" through its policies and international positioning. "What happened on October 7 was absolutely outrageous and a horrific attack," Mr Polanski stated. "And nothing justifies what Israel had done for the last couple of years. That again, our Government is not just complicit in, but actively enabling."
He proposed concrete measures Britain could implement, including "stopping our role in this by stopping selling arms to Israel, by stopping sharing intelligence, and making sure that we're speaking with one voice and it's time to end the genocide."
Campaign Momentum Assessed
Despite the heated exchanges, Mr Polanski claimed his party's campaign was progressing "amazingly well" in the constituency, though he acknowledged that a potential Reform UK victory would prove "deeply damaging" for the area. The final days of campaigning are expected to see intensified efforts from all major parties as they seek to sway undecided voters in this strategically important by-election.
