Polanski faces resignation calls after Green Party’s Holborn defeat and vote controversy
Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, is fighting for his political future following a humiliating by-election defeat in Holborn and St Pancras. He lost to Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali by more than 3,000 votes, having departed the Green Party conference in Brighton to campaign, which proved unsuccessful. The timing of his absence proved contentious, as the party passed a controversial 'Zionism is racism' motion—described as effectively calling for the destruction of Israel—whilst he was away. Senior figures from his own party, including former leader Caroline Lucas and the chairman of the Jewish Greens, have publicly called for his resignation, citing his absence from the vote and what they characterise as a failure in leadership.
The disputed motion has prompted formal complaints to police and the equalities watchdog over anti-Semitism concerns. Polanski, who is of Jewish descent, has insisted he will remain as leader despite the dual crisis, though he declined to answer when asked five times by BBC Radio 4 whether Israel has a right to exist. Instead, he stated his support for equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians, and suggested he would support overturning or amending the policy at the earliest opportunity. MP Sian Berry acknowledged that many party members had been reluctant to campaign openly against the motion whilst their leader was engaged in the by-election campaign.
- Green Party leader Zack Polanski loses by-election by over 3,000 votes.
- Senior party figures call for resignation after 'Zionism is racism' motion.
- Polanski absent from vote, refuses to answer if Israel has right to exist.
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Zack Polanski has led the Green Party since 2023, an established political force focused on environmental and social justice causes. He is now facing significant pressure over his leadership after two major problems emerged in quick succession.
The first problem was electoral. Polanski left the party's annual conference to campaign in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, but the Greens lost to Labour by more than 3,000 votes. The second problem emerged at that same conference: delegates passed a motion describing Zionism as racism, which was described as effectively calling for the destruction of Israel.
The timing created controversy. Polanski was absent from the conference debate on the motion and had not campaigned against it beforehand, prompting criticism from senior party figures including former leader Caroline Lucas and calls for his resignation. The incident has also prompted formal complaints to police and the equalities watchdog over anti-Semitism concerns.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those calling for Polanski's resignation contend he has failed in his primary leadership duty at a moment of party-defining crisis. His absence from the conference whilst a controversial motion was passed represents a critical lapse in judgment, particularly as party members reportedly felt unable to campaign against it publicly during his electoral campaign. Combined with a substantial electoral defeat, these failures have forfeited the confidence of senior figures including former leader Caroline Lucas, and his unclear public positioning on fundamental issues undermines his credibility to steer the party forward.
The case against
Supporters argue that contesting a seat is a legitimate leadership activity and that a single electoral loss should not automatically trigger resignation. Polanski has committed to working to overturn the controversial motion, demonstrating he does not accept the party's current direction and intends to reshape it. His Jewish heritage and stated commitment to equal rights for both Israelis and Palestinians suggest the situation is more nuanced than critics allow. Resigning would prevent him from implementing the reform he advocates and would prevent constructive resolution of the party's internal tensions.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Polanski on the ropes: Green Party leader faces calls to quit after humiliating by-election defeat amid ‘Zionism is racism’ vote controversy”.