Zack Polanski has won the Green Party leadership race, defeating joint candidates Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns despite the two MPs having higher profiles within the party. The 42-year-old vegan London Assembly member ran on a radical "eco-populist" agenda that energised grassroots supporters.
Allies praised Polanski as a strong communicator who revitalised the party base. However, his opponents Ramsay and Chowns accused him of using "polarising" language that appeals only to a "narrow segment" of the electorate.
Unconventional path to politics
Polanski's route into politics has been highly unusual, having previously worked as an actor and hypnotherapist. He was born in Salford as David Paulden, changing his name at 18 to differentiate himself from his stepfather who shared the same first name.
The surname Polanski was his grandfather's original name, which had been changed to avoid antisemitism. Coming from a non-political family, his political awakening began while studying drama in Atlanta, Georgia, where he witnessed inequality, racism and homophobia.
After returning to the UK, he worked on community projects supporting homeless people and migrants while performing in politically-themed theatre productions. He eventually sought a more formal avenue for change through electoral politics.
Rise through Green ranks
Polanski initially joined the Liberal Democrats in 2016 and stood as a councillor in London, citing his support for proportional representation. However, hearing the Greens' stance on refugee rights convinced him to switch allegiances a year later.
He was elected to the London Assembly in 2021 and became Green Party deputy leader in 2022. Polanski surprised the party hierarchy by launching his leadership bid in May, quickly gaining traction through his pugnacious communication style and social media expertise.
His video announcing his #BackZack leadership campaign gained 1.5 million views on X, demonstrating his ability to reach audiences beyond traditional Green Party supporters.
Controversies and ambitions
A 2013 Sun article has repeatedly dogged Polanski's political career, resurfacing when he announced his leadership intentions. The piece, titled "TIT-NOTISED Can you really THINK your boobs bigger?", described how a journalist posing as a client claimed Polanski boosted her bust size through hypnotherapy at a Harley Street practice.
Polanski has apologised for the experiment, stating he did not charge for it and that it was misrepresented by the newspaper. Throughout the sometimes fractious campaign, he urged the Greens to be "bold" and pushed his vision of a mass-membership "eco-populist" movement.
Generating headlines as effectively as Nigel Farage's Reform UK has been one of his stated aims. He also wants to provide a home for progressive voters disappointed by Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Government.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
