Green leadership update

Exclusive: Polanski gains momentum with a modern, media savvy approach that supporters say could reshape the Greens.

Polanski Pulls Ahead in Green Party Leader Race

Zack Polanski, 42, the insurgent candidate for Green party leader, has begun to pull ahead in the race. His eco populist message and strong social media presence are upending the contest, with several senior Greens noting a wave of new left leaning members in local branches. Some call the shift a hostile takeover, while others see a necessary jolt to a long quiet party. Ramsay and Chowns, long seen as the establishment’s faces, struggle to gain traction despite early visibility and profiles. Voting runs through August, and while there is no interim polling, insiders say Polanski’s approach is resonating at the grassroots. Caroline Russell, London Assembly leader and a backer, has endorsed him, highlighting his ability to punch through the noise and reach new voters.

Ramsay and Chowns emphasize steady, council and parliamentary gains and a broad appeal. Polanski, by contrast, aims to grow the party into a mass membership movement and generate headlines with a stance some compare to populist strategies outside traditional party lines. The race has been unusually rancorous for a leadership contest with limited formal power, and the online fray has fed a sense that the contest reflects deeper tensions about the party’s future direction.

The clash inside the Greens mirrors a larger debate about how climate and social policy should translate into electoral power. Polanski’s supporters say the party needs an aggressive, media friendly voice to turn climate policy into a mass movement, while rivals warn the approach could polarize voters who might otherwise back Greens on local issues. The emphasis on a rapid expansion of membership and a bold message also raises questions about how the party would balance policy depth with media appeal.

Turnout will be decisive. A large, engaged membership could tilt the result toward Polanski, while lower turnout might reward more traditional, locally focused candidates. The contest exposes how internal strategy can collide with public perception just as the party faces a potential pivot in national politics and the pressures of future elections.

Highlights

The Greens face a choice between energy and consensus as they prepare for the next electoral test.