Zack Polanski has called on voters to support the Green Party as a mechanism to compel the Labour government under Andy Burnham to adopt more progressive policies, arguing that his party's influence has already shifted Labour's position on several key issues.
Speaking at the party's annual conference in Brighton, Polanski contended that sustained Green pressure had forced Labour to reconsider its approach to climate action and its Middle East policy. He told party members that Labour had neglected housing and unveiled an ambitious proposal to address the rental crisis affecting millions of households across the country.
Polanski arrived at the Brighton gathering amid questions about his leadership tenure and uncertainty over how the Greens would adapt to Labour's change of direction following Burnham's appointment as Prime Minister. The conference was billed as the party's largest ever gathering.
What is Polanski's housing proposal?
Polanski's central policy announcement focused on tackling private sector rents, which have become increasingly unaffordable for renters nationwide. He proposed an "emergency brake" on private rents, preventing them from rising above the lowest of three measures—the consumer price index, wage growth, or 2%—for a three-year period.
Beyond the immediate three-year cap, Polanski outlined a longer-term vision for housing affordability. According to the Green Party's official conference materials, he called for a "national Fair Rents Guarantee" designed to maintain rents at affordable levels "for everyone, for ever". His housing agenda extended further, with calls for large-scale council house building programmes and measures to eliminate what he termed the "leasehold trap", a system that has left many homeowners facing escalating ground rents and service charges.
Polanski was particularly critical of Labour's record on housing, accusing the government of failing to confront the "powerful vested interests of developers and big landlords". He contrasted Labour's approach with what he characterised as Green Party determination to end what he called "Rip Off Britain".
How has Green pressure influenced Labour?
Polanski argued that his party's activism had already produced tangible results in shifting government priorities. He pointed to Labour's decision to convene an emergency Cobr meeting during the summer in response to record-breaking heat and drought conditions, which he attributed to Green pressure in the face of government "inaction".
In his half-hour address, Polanski did not directly attack the Conservative Party or Reform UK, instead directing repeated criticism at Labour's performance in office. He accused the government of making "slogans without action" on cost-of-living pressures and vowed that only the Greens would deliver genuine relief for struggling households.
The Green leader also sought to establish clear separation between his party and the government on energy policy. With major decisions looming on whether to approve the Rosebank oil field and Jackdaw gas field, Polanski argued that this summer's wildfires should serve as the "final nail in the coffin for new oil and gas". Although Burnham has committed to Labour's manifesto pledge not to issue new oil and gas licences, he has indicated willingness to approve the two existing projects under consideration.
What is the Green position on taxation and wealth?
Polanski reiterated the party's commitment to taxing what he termed "extreme wealth", repeating calls for a windfall tax on excess corporate profits. This proposal has gained support from trade unions, which have pressured the government on the issue. He told conference members that the Greens would not "hesitate" to pursue such measures.
His message to voters was direct:
Vote Green, and watch Labour move. He elaborated on this theme, stating:
Through our sustained pressure – and our historic wins – we have held the worst instincts of the Labour government in check. And we have started to move them in the right direction. But we can't wait for them to get there on their own.
What electoral gains has the Green Party achieved?
Polanski opened his address by celebrating the party's expansion since his election as leader a year earlier. The Greens have experienced significant membership growth and achieved notable electoral success, including gaining hundreds of councillors in May's local elections across England. These gains have positioned the party as a meaningful force in British politics, though questions persist about whether the surge in support that characterised the previous year has been sustained.
The conference also marked a moment of political transition for the Greens. Andy Burnham's assumption of the Labour leadership has created new dynamics that test the Greens' recent gains and voter loyalty amid ongoing political volatility. Polanski has already confirmed his intention to contest the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, where he has attacked Labour as the party of "corporations and big money" while pledging to fight for constituents facing affordability crises.
What is the controversy over the Zionism motion?
Polanski's speech notably avoided addressing a contentious motion scheduled for debate during the conference weekend. The motion, put forward by party members, describes Zionism as a form of racism and seeks to shift the party's position toward supporting a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine". The motion defines Zionism as an ideology supporting "an ethnonationalist Jewish state".
The motion in its current form has attracted criticism from senior party figures, including deputy leader Rachel Millward, who characterised it as "problematic". Before the conference, Polanski declined to commit to supporting the motion as drafted, instead indicating his desire to see amendments. He has proposed changes that would explicitly protect Jewish members attending synagogues that identify as Zionist from party discipline, and would stipulate that any lasting settlement to the Middle East conflict should be determined by Palestinians themselves.
Beyond the Zionism motion, Polanski has taken additional positions on Middle East policy. According to reporting on his conference activities, he called for Palestine Action to be removed from the government's list of banned terrorist organisations, arguing that the ban should be reversed. The Zionism motion was scheduled for debate on Sunday, meaning the party membership would vote on the contentious proposal during the conference weekend.
What happens next at the conference?
The Green Party conference will continue with debate and votes on several motions, most notably the contested Zionism resolution. The outcome of this vote will signal the party's official position on a deeply divisive issue within the membership and could have implications for the party's relationship with Jewish communities and broader political standing.
