In a remarkably personal and wide-ranging interview, Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, has shared insights into his life, fears, and aspirations, from his admiration for actor Idris Elba to a confession about his unfinished climate reading.
From Acting to Activism: The Polanski Profile
Born David Paulden in Greater Manchester 43 years ago, Polanski changed his name at 18 to reflect his Jewish heritage. His career path has been eclectic, having studied acting at Aberystwyth University and worked in community theatre before qualifying as a hypnotherapist. His political journey began in 2017 when he joined the Greens, rising swiftly to become deputy leader in 2022 and assuming the leadership in September of this year.
Now based in London with his partner, Polanski identifies simple joys, citing last summer spent with his boyfriend Richie with no plans as his happiest time. Conversely, his greatest fear is a political one: the prospect of a Reform UK government.
Candid Confessions and Political Inspirations
The politician did not shy away from light-hearted revelations or self-criticism. When asked about his celebrity crush, he immediately named the British star Idris Elba. He also confessed a literary guilt, admitting, "I'm going to confess I haven't finished The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg."
His most admired living person is Chlöe Swarbrick, co-leader of the New Zealand Greens, whom he sees as a model of bold leadership. On a personal level, he most deplores his own habit of "doomscrolling" on his phone, and in others, he dislikes "those who create the doom."
Personal Quirks and Political Convictions
Polanski's answers painted a picture of a relatable figure with distinct quirks. He described his "floordrobe" – clothes piled on the floor – as his most unappealing habit, and imagined Adam Sandler playing him in a film of his life. His guiltiest pleasure is watching RuPaul's Drag Race.
Beneath the humour, however, lies a steadfast political core. He defined love as feeling like "a dog bounding through the grass on a summer's day chasing a squirrel" and stated his desired legacy is to "leave a planet for everyone's children." His single biggest improvement for UK life? The introduction of proportional representation.
His activism has extended to direct action, with his closest brush with the law being an arrest on Waterloo Bridge with Extinction Rebellion. When asked what keeps him awake at night, he quipped, "I would say something earnest like stopping the far right, but the truth is nothing keeps me awake at night."
In a final reflection, echoing Labour veteran Tony Benn, Polanski stated he would change nothing about his past, focusing instead on the future. And if he could have more of anything, he bypassed sex, money, and fame for a simpler, more universal wish: "More love for everyone."
