Polanski’s popularity plummets to record low in wake of Green by-election loss and ‘Zionism’ motion
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Zack Polanski’s popularity has fallen to a record low following criticism within the Green Party and its defeat in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. The decline matters because it has intensified questions about his leadership and the party’s position after a conference motion describing Zionism as “racism”.
An Ipsos poll conducted in October found 52 per cent viewed Polanski unfavourably, up six points from September, while 16 per cent viewed him favourably, giving him a net rating of minus 36. His support has also weakened among under-35s, whose net rating of him fell from plus 16 in April to plus two. About 1,000 Green members backed the motion and 800 opposed it; senior party figures have criticised Polanski, while Labour has warned Green groups in coalition with it to disown the motion or lose its support.
- Polanski’s net favourability fell to minus 36.
- 52 per cent viewed him unfavourably in October.
- Party criticism followed the motion and by-election defeat.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters may argue that the poll decline and by-election defeat are setbacks, but not by themselves proof that Polanski’s leadership or the party’s direction is unsound. They may see the conference motion as a legitimate criticism of Zionism as a political ideology, while stressing that opposition to Zionism need not mean hostility towards Jewish people, and argue that Labour’s demand risks constraining debate within Green-led coalitions.
The case against
Critics may argue that the record-low rating, lost by-election and weaker support among younger voters show that Polanski’s leadership and political judgement are damaging the party’s credibility. They may regard the motion’s wording as liable to blur criticism of Zionism with hostility towards Jews, and say party leaders should reject it clearly, particularly when coalition partners and voters are concerned.