In the United Kingdom, the Green Party of England and Wales, long considered a small niche political force, is experiencing rapid growth in both popularity and membership. According to the latest figures, the number of party members has surpassed 200,000. Last autumn, the Greens overtook the Conservative Party (UK) in membership numbers for the first time, one of the two traditional pillars of British politics.
The surge began after the arrival of a new leader
Many observers link the surge in interest in the party to the election of activist and politician Zack Polanski as its co-leader. After his arrival in the leadership, the party began to grow rapidly — something clearly visible in membership statistics.
Polanski is 43 years old. His real name is David Polden. He explained that he changed his name in order to distance himself from his family and highlight his roots: his ancestors were Ashkenazi Jews from Poland and Latvia. According to him, he chose the name Zack after a character from his favorite childhood book, Goodnight Mister Tom. Before entering politics, Polanski worked as a hypnotherapist. He also worked as a theatre actor.
Who supports the Greens
Sociological studies show that the party has a fairly clear electoral base. Its main supporters are young voters, especially women. In many Western countries, this group has moved significantly to the left in recent years.
The party’s ideology combines a strong environmental agenda with social demands. Key elements of the program include fighting climate change, expanding social programs, nationalizing major infrastructure companies, and pursuing a liberal migration policy. Overall, this is the typical platform of European Green parties, which many political scientists describe as a form of left-libertarianism.
A very critical position toward Israel
In foreign policy, Polanski takes quite strong positions. Despite his Jewish background, he actively supports the Palestinian cause and sharply criticizes the policies of the Israeli government. He has accused Israel of “genocide in the Gaza Strip” and has described the country as a “fascist state.” If the Greens were to come to power, relations between London and Israel could therefore deteriorate significantly.
Some analysts see the rise as tactical
However, not everyone believes the Greens are truly preparing to win the next elections. Some British commentators suggest that the party’s rise may also serve the interests of part of the political establishment. Today, the main threat to traditional parties is often seen as the right-wing populist party Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage. It has been rapidly gaining popularity amid the migration crisis and growing economic discontent. According to this view, the rise of the Greens could help fragment protest voting, thereby reducing the chances of victory for right-wing populists.
