Women have reportedly left the Green Party of England and Wales, led by Zack Polanski, citing serious and repeated incidents of misogyny that they say have been downplayed by the leadership. A motion submitted for the party's autumn conference next month, seen by The Times, alleges that female councillors and officers have been sidelined, patronised, intimidated or treated with hostility by male colleagues, and accuses the party of failing to tackle "institutionalised misogyny".

The motion was proposed by Peter Thelwell, a former Green council candidate in York, who says he has received "countless direct accounts" over the past month from women who left the party or were considering doing so. It calls for the party's complaints panel to treat misogyny allegations as seriously as other forms of discrimination, and demands educational materials and mandatory training on patriarchy and gendered power. Jennifer Dee Norman-Kerr, a 2024 general election candidate for Leeds East, said local women had faced abusive language and campaign interference, leading to resignations and fewer women standing for election. A Green Party spokesperson said conference motions are decided democratically and most are not debated, while a party source disputed the characterisation of the issue and pointed to internal complaints processes and policies on violence against women.