"Zack Polanski finally decided to stand as the Greens' leader, he says, after witnessing the party being eclipsed by Reform in last May's local elections across England, and realising that British politics had changed for good. While the Greens made yet more steady gains, Reform won nearly 700 councillors from a standing start. As deputy leader, it was Polanski's job to speak to losing candidates to both offer consolation and ask what lessons could be learned."
"Four months after he became leader, membership of the Greens in England and Wales has shot up from about 70,000 to well over 180,000, and poll ratings have risen such that a handful have shown the Greens above the Liberal Democrats and even Labour. This is uncharted territory for a party that had specialised in the patient long game, building up networks of councillors before challenging for parliamentary seats."
Zack Polanski decided to stand as Greens leader after Reform's surge in the May local elections across England, where Reform won nearly 700 councillors while the Greens made steady gains. As deputy leader, Polanski spoke to losing candidates and identified a gap in national visibility. Polanski launched a leadership campaign promising a Reform-like approach and coined 'eco-populism' as a slogan. Four months into leadership, Greens membership in England and Wales rose from about 70,000 to over 180,000 and poll ratings improved, occasionally placing the Greens above the Liberal Democrats and Labour. Polanski defeated two party figures and gained significant media and podcast presence.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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