Zack Polanski is the Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, having secured a landslide victory in September 2025 with 85% of the vote. As a prominent member of the London Assembly and the first Jewish leader of a major UK political party since Ed Miliband, Polanski has redefined the Green movement through a philosophy he calls “eco-populism.” This approach links environmental sustainability directly to economic justice, advocating for wealth taxes, the renationalization of utilities, and Universal Basic Income (UBI) to support working-class communities. In this guide, you will learn about his unconventional path from professional acting and hypnotherapy to political leadership, his policy stances on global and domestic issues, and how the “Polanski Effect” is currently reshaping the British political landscape in 2026.
The Rise of Eco-Populism
Zack Polanski’s leadership is defined by “eco-populism,” a strategy designed to make the Green Party a mass-membership movement that competes directly with both Labour and Reform UK. He argues that climate action cannot succeed if the public is struggling with the cost of living, thus prioritizing “bread and butter” issues like rent controls and higher wages. This shift has seen the Green Party reach a historic milestone of 100,000 members under his tenure, as he positions the party as the “true populists” representing civilians against the elite.
Polanski’s brand of populism is distinct because it rejects the “hate” he associates with right-wing populist movements, instead focusing on “hope” and systemic reform. By combining radical socialist economics with traditional green environmentalism, he has successfully attracted a surge of disillusioned voters, particularly from the left wing of the Labour Party. This strategy has fueled the “Polanski Effect,” characterized by a significant rise in polling and a more aggressive, media-savvy presence in national debates.
Early Life and Name Change
Born David Paulden on November 2, 1982, in Salford, Greater Manchester, Polanski grew up in a traditional Jewish household. He attended Stockport Grammar School on a scholarship but found the environment stifling, eventually moving to a more diverse sixth-form college where he felt a greater sense of belonging. At age 18, he made the significant decision to change his surname to Polanski—his grandfather’s original name—to reclaim his Jewish identity and honor a family history that had been obscured by the pressures of assimilation.
His upbringing was marked by personal challenges, including his parents’ divorce when he was 11 and experiencing homophobic violence as a teenager in Manchester. These formative experiences deeply influenced his later political focus on social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and the protection of marginalized communities. Before entering politics, Polanski pursued a career in the arts, studying drama in Aberystwyth and later in Georgia, USA, which helped him develop the communication skills now central to his political persona.
Career Before Politics
Before becoming a household name in British politics, Zack Polanski led a varied life in the “gig economy,” working as an actor, youth worker, and mental health counselor. He was a member of the immersive theatre company DifferencENGINE and even worked as a singer for the London International Gospel Choir. His background in performance is frequently cited as the reason for his fluency and confidence during high-stakes television interviews and public debates.
One of the more unique aspects of his pre-political life was his work as a hypnotherapist. While this role later became a point of tabloid interest—specifically regarding a misrepresented story about “breast enhancement” hypnotherapy—Polanski has been transparent about his past, using it to illustrate his interest in human psychology and empowerment. He often credits these non-traditional roles with giving him a better understanding of the precarious nature of modern work than many career politicians.
Entry into Political Life
Polanski’s formal political journey did not begin with the Greens, but with the Liberal Democrats, whom he joined in 2015 primarily due to their support for proportional representation. He stood as a council candidate and a London Assembly candidate for the Lib Dems before realizing that his views on social justice and the climate emergency aligned more closely with the Green Party. He made the switch in 2017 after a transformative conversation with former Green leader Natalie Bennett.
After joining the Greens, his rise was rapid: he stood as a parliamentary candidate for the Cities of London and Westminster in 2019 and was elected to the London Assembly in 2021. In the Assembly, he quickly made a name for himself by chairing the Environment Committee and successfully passing motions for a “Climate and Ecological Emergency” bill. His ability to work across party lines while maintaining a radical edge paved the way for his election as Deputy Leader of the Green Party in 2022.
Key Policy Stances
Economic Justice
Polanski is a staunch advocate for a “Wealth Tax” on billionaires, arguing that taxing accumulated assets is fairer than taxing work-based income. He supports the renationalization of water and energy companies to lower costs for consumers and ensure profits are reinvested into green infrastructure. Furthermore, he is a leading voice for the introduction of a Universal Basic Income to provide a permanent safety net for all citizens.
Environmental Strategy
Central to his “eco-populism” is the belief that the green transition must be funded by the wealthy, not the working class. He pushes for massive government subsidies for home insulation and green energy, arguing that these measures will simultaneously lower bills and reduce carbon emissions. He also advocates for the “Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill,” which would legally bind the UK to more ambitious nature and climate targets.
Foreign Policy and Human Rights
Polanski has taken bold stances on international issues, including labeling the conflict in Gaza as a genocide and calling for the UK to suspend arms sales to Israel. He has also questioned the UK’s reliance on NATO, suggesting that the United States is an “unreliable ally” and that Britain should consider more independent security arrangements. Domestically, he remains a vocal supporter of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and LGBTQ+ protections.
The London Assembly Impact
As a member of the London Assembly (AM), Polanski has utilized his platform to influence the governance of the UK’s capital. He has been particularly active in pushing for the “layering up” of London’s homes—adding floors to existing buildings to increase housing density without destroying green spaces. His work as Chair of the Environment Committee has seen him challenge the Mayor of London on air quality and the protection of the “Green Belt.”
He is also known for his commitment to diversity in political discourse, famously refusing to participate in all-male panels and insisting on a representative range of speakers at committee meetings. This “identity politics,” as critics call it, is to Polanski a fundamental part of “social justice,” ensuring that those most affected by policy decisions have a seat at the table. His work in London has served as a testing ground for the national policies he now promotes as party leader.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite his landslide victory, Polanski’s leadership has faced internal pushback from the “continuity” wing of the Green Party. Critics like Ellie Chowns have warned that his “polarizing” views and move toward the radical left could alienate moderate environmental voters. Additionally, his decision to lead the party without a seat in the House of Commons has been criticized, as it leaves the Greens without their primary leader during key parliamentary debates.
He has also faced significant trolling on social media, ranging from attacks on his past career as a hypnotherapist to his stance on NATO and the Gaza conflict. Polanski typically addresses these controversies head-on, maintaining that his “unconventional” path makes him more relatable to the public. His refusal to fly for environmental reasons—even turning down high-profile meetings abroad—has further cemented his reputation as a “caricature of a to-the-manure-born Green,” though he maintains he only found his political voice late in life.
Practical Information and Planning
How to Engage with Zack Polanski
- Social Media: He is highly active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, frequently posting “behind the scenes” content from his campaigns.
- Public Events: Polanski often tours the UK for “Town Hall” style meetings, particularly in target seats like Wakefield and Bristol.
- London Assembly: You can watch his committee sessions and plenary meetings live via the London City Hall website.
What to Expect from His Leadership
- Increased Visibility: Expect the Greens to be more present in mainstream media, moving away from being a “single-issue” party.
- Socialist Rhetoric: A greater emphasis on class politics, wealth redistribution, and anti-austerity measures.
- Electoral Ambition: The party has set a target of winning at least 30 seats in the next general election, focusing on urban centers and university towns.
Tips for Following Green Party Updates
- Join the Party: Membership has surged to over 100,000; joining gives you a vote in future leadership contests.
- Newsletter: Subscribe to the Green Party’s national newsletter for updates on Polanski’s “On the Road” tour.
- Local Groups: Engage with your local Green Party branch to see how “eco-populism” is being applied at the council level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current leader of the Green Party?
As of February 2026, Zack Polanski is the Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales. He was elected in September 2025, succeeding the joint leadership of Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay.
What is eco-populism?
Eco-populism is a political strategy that links environmentalism with socialist economic policies. It aims to make the Green Party a “home” for those disillusioned with the political elite by focusing on immediate material concerns like housing and wages.
Is Zack Polanski an MP?
No, Zack Polanski is not a Member of Parliament. He is a Member of the London Assembly (AM), representing the whole of London as a London-wide member.
What was Zack Polanski’s name before he changed it?
He was born David Paulden. He changed his name to Zack Polanski at age 18 to reclaim his grandfather’s original surname and embrace his Jewish identity.
What did Zack Polanski do before politics?
He had a diverse career in the gig economy, working as a professional actor, a teacher, a youth worker, and a hypnotherapist. He also sang in a gospel choir.
Is Zack Polanski Jewish?
Yes, he is the first Jewish leader of a major UK political party since Ed Miliband. He often speaks about how his Jewish identity and his family’s history of migration influence his politics.
What is the “Polanski Effect”?
The “Polanski Effect” refers to the surge in Green Party membership and polling numbers since he became leader. Under his leadership, the party reached a record 100,000 members in late 2025.
Does Zack Polanski support a wealth tax?
Yes, one of his core policies is the introduction of a wealth tax on billionaires. He argues this is necessary to fund public services and the green transition.
What is his stance on the war in Gaza?
Polanski has been a vocal critic of the conflict, describing the actions in Gaza as a genocide and calling for an immediate end to UK arms sales to Israel.
Why does he refuse to fly?
For environmental reasons, Polanski has committed to not flying. He uses trains and other forms of public transport for his travel, even when invited to international political meetings.
Final Thoughts
As we move through 2026, Zack Polanski’s leadership has firmly transitioned the Green Party from a peripheral pressure group into a significant electoral force. By successfully branding “eco-populism” as the progressive answer to the cost-of-living crisis, he has managed to capture a vast demographic of voters who feel abandoned by the centrist shift of the major parties. The “Polanski Effect”—evidenced by the record-shattering 195,000 members and a consistent climb in national polling—suggests that his strategy of connecting wealth redistribution with climate action resonates deeply with a public weary of traditional austerity.
Whether the party can sustain this momentum without Polanski holding a seat in Westminster remains the central question for the 2029 General Election cycle. However, his performance on the London Assembly and his ability to dominate headlines have already forced a recalibration of British political discourse. By positioning the Greens as the “party of hope” against the “party of hate,” Polanski has not just changed the Green Party; he has fundamentally challenged the limits of what a third party can achieve in a two-party system.
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