Polanski vows to stay after Zionism vote and by-election loss

Zack Polanski has vowed to remain as Green Party leader despite a by-election defeat and mounting internal pressure over a controversial motion declaring Zionism a form of racism ^[1]. The leader, who came second to Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, lost by 3,364 votes despite a 22% increase in Green vote share ^[4]. He missed the critical conference vote on the motion, which passed with support from rank-and-file members, calling for a single democratic Palestinian state and defining Zionism as ethnonationalist.

Senior figures including former leader Caroline Lucas and Vivien Lichtenstein, leader of the Jewish Greens, have accused Polanski of failing to lead, urging him to resign ^[2]. Lichtenstein said he had not worked with her committee and called his absence a 'big mistake' ^[1]. Lucas stated the motion was 'dangerous' and 'flawed from top to bottom' and questioned whether Polanski would show leadership in the aftermath.

Polanski defended his absence, citing campaigning in North London, and said he would have voted against the motion had he been present, though he supports its core aim of ending Palestinian displacement ^[3]. He declined to answer whether Israel has a right to exist, instead calling for equal rights for both Israelis and Palestinians. He confirmed he would not have voted for the unamended motion but said he would seek to amend or overturn it ^[4].

The controversy has drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham calling the motion 'completely wrong' and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting accusing Polanski of enabling antisemitism ^[3]. The Green Party has been reported to both police and the equalities watchdog over antisemitism concerns.

Despite the backlash, Polanski insists he will remain in charge until the next leadership ballot in summer 2027 ^[1]. Some senior members, including Jenny Jones, argue the party has weathered crises before and leadership is not removed through criticism alone ^[4]. Polling shows a third of Britons believe he should step down ^[3].

According to one source, former Scottish Green leader Robin Harper said Polanski is a 'chancer' who must step down, though this claim has not been confirmed by other outlets ^[3]. The story was first reported by BBC News and The Guardian.