The politics of despair have engulfed Britain. But Zack Polanski is offering a way out | Owen Jones

"Since Zack Polanski secured the Green party leadership with an emphatic 85% vote share on an unashamedly leftwing platform, the political consensus has faced its biggest challenge since the defeat of Jeremy Corbyn's Labour. When Polanksi launched his bid in May, the Greens counted 60,000 members. They've now hurtled past 130,000, eclipsing the number of Conservative members. One poll already puts them on 15%, more than double last year's 6.2% and neck-and-neck with Labour."

"The Greens' amateurish social-media operation has been transformed. In the place of clunky graphics and dour tweets come slick, viral videos Polanski urging us to make hope normal again or sassy celebrations of each new membership milestone. The party's on-screen presence has evolved, too. Previous TV outings by Green politicians could be described as awfully nice but lacking in cut-through messages. Polanski, however, has embraced the Nigel Farage tactic of confrontation,"

"The radical right has excelled across the west by going on the attack and forcing its opponents into a defensive posture. Whether it be in Germany, France, Austria or the UK, mainstream parties have tried to stem the popularity of rightwing parties by responding to criticism that they have not been tough enough on immigration with the announcement of harsher policies and speaking in more dangerous rhetoric. This has only legitimised the ideas of the right and fuelled its ascent."

Zack Polanski won Green Party leadership with 85% on a leftwing platform and rapidly more than doubled membership from 60,000 to over 130,000, surpassing Conservative membership. A poll places the Greens at about 15%, up from 6.2% last year and close to Labour. The party overhauled its social-media and on-screen presentation, replacing dull graphics with slick viral videos and assertive appearances. Polanski has adopted confrontational tactics, championing a wealth tax, unequivocally backing transgender rights, and accusing Reform UK of fascism. The Greens aim to shift debate from blaming migrants toward addressing economic injustice and inequality.

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