![Britain's Green Party leader Zack Polanski speaks during a Green Party conference in Brighton, Britain, October 2, 2026 [Carlos Jasso/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2026-10-02T130720Z_976789393_RC20VNA35WY7_RTRMADP_3_BRITAIN-POLITICS-GREEN-1791150244.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Zack Polanski, the leader of the United KingdomâÂÂs Green Party, has proposed a potential overhaul of his partyâÂÂs democratic mechanisms, calling for the leader to have larger control over strategic direction.
The appeal came in an article published in The Guardian on Sunday after party members passed a motion declaring that Zionism is racism at their annual conference on October 4 in a divisive vote.
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Polanski also failed to grab a parliamentary seat in the wake of the row with Israel in a by-election.
The Labour Party won the election for the parliamentary seat vacated by former leader Keir Starmer in Holborn and St Pancras on Friday, fending off a strong challenge from the left-wing Green Party in a boost for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
âÂÂOur party democracy must now evolve to meet that â creating wider engagement for members, giving leaders more responsibility to set the partyâÂÂs strategic direction, and making our processes as robust and accessible as possible,â he wrote.
âÂÂAbove all, that unity must be deployed in the service of changing this country for the better,â the Green Party leader added.
Criticism over vote on motion
Polanski also replied to the criticisms of him for not participating in the vote on the motion on Zionism.
âÂÂI have been asked why I was not present for the vote. The answer is that my priority was fighting a hugely consequential by-election for our party,â he said, adding that he put all his âÂÂenergy into the race in Holborn and St PancrasâÂÂ.
He admitted that some members feel âÂÂlet downâ by his decision not to make an appearance there.
The Green PartyâÂÂs motion, which called for âÂÂPalestinian liberation, the right of return, Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), and a full arms embargo against Israelâ was criticised by Jewish groups, other parties and most Green Party MPs.
After conceding defeat in the fiercely contested by-election, Polanski answered his critics, saying he would stay on as leader.
He was barred from entering Israel after his party backed a motion to define Zionism as racism.