Green Party leader Zack Polanski has revealed that he is in discussions with Labour MPs about possible defections, signalling a potential shake-up on the political landscape as the Greens attempt to position themselves as the true alternative to a discredited Labour establishment. Speaking on The News Agents podcast, Polanski, who took the helm in early September, claimed that left-wing MPs dissatisfied with Keir Starmer’s bland leadership are considering abandoning Labour altogether. He declined to name any MPs or specify numbers but confirmed, “I’m talking to Labour MPs about defections, yes.” Despite this, he implied that the Greens do not currently need such high-profile defections to gain momentum, insisting their support is already “clearly” strong and expanding.

Polanski has repositioned the Greens as an “eco-populist” force aiming to replace Labour rather than merely criticise the current government. Since his leadership victory, Green Party membership has surged by 70% to over 115,000, a figure he claims is on track to surpass both Conservative and Labour support. This growth coincides with recent polling from Find Out Now, showing the Greens and Labour tied at 15%, both lagging far behind Reform UK’s commanding 32% and the Conservatives on 17%. Polanski appears confident about the party’s increasing influence, claiming, “British politics is changing, Greens are giving Britain hope again,” even as the reality on the ground remains very different.

Under Polanski’s leadership, the Greens have shifted further left, attracting some activists who previously supported Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour. He has also voiced openness to collaborating with Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s emerging left-wing movement, Your Party, which Sultana is establishing after leaving Labour. However, notable policy differences remain; for example, the Greens support UK membership in NATO, while Sultana’s faction opposes it. Polanski’s stance on NATO, as expressed earlier, suggests he sees long-term UK membership as unsustainable due to what he perceives as NATO’s militaristic priorities. Instead, he hints at a future European defence strategy and international peace initiatives—a stance that highlights the Greens’ internal divisions and their wavering on foreign policy matters.

Polanski has been outspoken in his criticism of the current Labour government, accusing it not only of incompetence but of actively participating in what he calls genocide. This rhetoric underscores the Greens’ desire to position themselves as the real opposition—more radical, more social justice-focused, and more committed to human rights than Labour’s tired establishment. Such sharp language signals their intent to differentiate sharply from Starmer’s Labour, which they see as part of the problem rather than the solution.

The current political environment demonstrates a clear attempt by the Greens to capitalise on widespread dissatisfaction with Labour’s leadership—dissatisfaction that could lead disillusioned left-wing voters and MPs to seek alternatives. If Polanski’s efforts and the party’s momentum continue to grow, they may reshape electoral dynamics, especially if Labour’s internal divisions and lack of direction persist. However, the Greens’ ultimate influence remains uncertain—dependent on their ability to maintain unity and present a credible, radical alternative to both a discredited Labour and a Conservative government in decline. Yet, in these times of political chaos, the Green push is less about a genuine offer and more about opportunism, trying to siphon off disenchanted voters who are increasingly desperate for real change.

Source: Noah Wire Services