Green Party's Zack Polanski Targets Union Funding in Bid to Oust Labour
Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green party, has declared his ambition for the Greens to replace Labour as the primary political force for working-class voters, initiating a concerted effort to build alliances with trade unions. In a strategic move, Polanski has embarked on a charm offensive aimed at convincing unions to cease their financial support for Labour and instead back the Green party, as he delivered the first in a series of speeches at union conferences.
Union Engagements and Responses
According to Green party sources, Polanski has held "good conversations" with 10 trade unions, including some that are currently affiliated with Labour. He is scheduled to address the University and College Union and the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, both of which are not affiliated with Labour, in the coming months. However, major unions such as Unite and Unison have denied negotiating with Polanski, reaffirming their affiliation with the Labour party. Despite this, Unite is conducting internal discussions about its future relationship with Labour ahead of a special conference in 2027, where it could potentially decide to disaffiliate.
While Green insiders acknowledged that the discussions with unions varied in formality, some union representatives were adamant that supporting the Greens would be a "no-go area", dismissing the talks as "much ado about nothing". Nonetheless, with leadership changes at Unison, some union members believe there could be deeper disagreements beyond public disputes over the government's political agenda in the future.
Green Party's Rising Influence
The Green party has experienced a significant surge in polling following its first national byelection victory in Gorton and Denton, with membership in England and Wales tripling since last September to approximately 200,000. A Green party source emphasized, "When Zack became Green party leader he said his goal was to replace Labour – and building strong links with trade unions is a central part of that plan." They added that working-class voters are increasingly turning to the Greens as the only party addressing the cost of living crisis and advocating for their rights, criticizing Labour for watering down promises made in opposition.
Polanski's Appeal to Educators
Polanski recently wooed teachers with a scathing critique of the government's education record at the National Education Union annual conference in Brighton, where he received a standing ovation. He promised to abolish Ofsted, inject substantial funding into schools, and halt the conversion of schools into academies. As the first Green leader to address the NEU, Polanski argued that education has been pushed to the brink by ideological reorganizations and budget cuts, pledging to fund reforms through taxes on extreme wealth.
He condemned Ofsted as a "toxic, failed institution" and criticized academies as a failed model driven by marketization. His speech resonated with NEU members, who also oppose Labour's introduction of more testing, such as the year 8 reading assessment. Polanski advocated for a holistic approach to education that includes arts, vocational subjects, media literacy, and critical thinking skills to prepare children for challenges like climate change and AI.
Union Leadership's Reaction
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU, welcomed Polanski's speech, noting that over 60% of his members voted Labour in the last election. He stated, "I think our membership feels that Zack speaks more for schools and education than Labour do at the moment." This endorsement highlights the growing perception that the Greens are positioning themselves as a viable alternative to Labour on key issues affecting workers and educators.
