Polanski stresses he and Jeremy Corbyn are ‘very different people’ over antisemitism row
Jeremy Corbyn put forward a lot of “really positive” ideas for governing the country, Green leader Zack Polanski said.
As Green Party candidates face accusations of antisemitism, Mr Polanski was asked by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme how he would avoid becoming a new version of Mr Corbyn, whose Labour Party faced a similar crisis.
He said: “I think me and Jeremy are very different people, and there’s much… you know, the question was almost inviting me to condemn Jeremy Corbyn.
“I think there was lots that Jeremy Corbyn was putting forward to this country that I think was really positive. We’ve talked about wealth taxes, about public ownership.
“I also think it’s important, speaking for myself right now, that we make sure that we have this vetting process, that it’s really clear that antisemitism, Islamophobia, any form of hatred or hate crime, is not welcome in the Green Party.”
Mr Polanski also told the BBC he was “not ready right now” to be prime minister but said he had learned a lot of political skills and knowledge since winning the Green leadership, adding that he would “certainly be putting in the work” over the next few years.
Holly Evans6 May 2026 10:25
What are the polls saying for Labour, Reform and the Greens?
The prime minister is facing a local election wipeout in just over a week, with some experts predicting the party could see its worst-ever result.
Both Reform and the Greens are forecast to be the big winners at the event, as opinion polling shows discontent with both Labour and the Conservatives growing.
Here is what pollsters at the University of Exeter’s Elections Centre are predicting:
Holly Evans6 May 2026 10:22
Polanski wrongly claims Golders Green terror suspect was handcuffed in video that sparked row with Met Police
In an interview on the BBC’s Today programme, Mr Polanski said he was “traumatised by seeing someone handcuffed and repeatedly kicked in the head”.
But the video, widely circulated online, clearly shows the man, on the floor after being Tasered, but not in handcuffs, with officers grappling to get something out of his hands.
Read the full article here:
Holly Evans6 May 2026 10:19
Greens are taking action to tackle antisemitism, Polanski says
Zack Polanski said his party was taking action to tackle antisemitism.
Confronted with a series of comments made by his candidates, the Green leader told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Those messages are all unacceptable, and it’s important to condemn that.
“The Green Party are an anti-racist party and it’s important that we stick to our values.”
He said there would be a “standardised vetting process” in future, with compulsory training for candidates, “to make it clear that antisemitism is completely unwelcome in the Green Party, as it is in society”.
“It is also important to say one case of antisemitism is one too many. This is a handful of cases and actually we have over 4,500 candidates, the vast, vast majority of which are doing amazing work in their communities right now,” he said.
Zack Polanski has said the antisemitic comments made by candidates are ‘unacceptable’ (Reuters)
Holly Evans6 May 2026 10:16
Polanski admits he was wrong to describe himself as Red Cross spokesperson
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has acknowledged he was wrong to say he was a spokesperson for the British Red Cross.
The Green Party leader made the claim as he campaigned to become its deputy leader back in 2022, which was first reported in The Times newspaper on Tuesday.
Asked about the claim by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Polanski said: “I hosted various fundraisers for the British Red Cross, and indeed I would go on stage and speak for them about the amazing work they do tackling humanitarian crises, on the climate crisis, and indeed, for refugees all around the world.
“I used the wrong word, and I accept that, but I would essentially take words on stage with me and speak.
“It’s important, though, and I accept this, that they don’t support any political party, and I’ve made sure that’s been taken down.”
Holly Evans6 May 2026 10:14
