Zack Polanski’s approval rating enters freefall in humiliating blow | UK | News
A deepening antisemitism scandal has sent Zack Polanski’s approval ratings into freefall; More than 30 Green Party candidates allegedly face accusations of posting antisemitic content online.
It has been reported that nearly a dozen candidates have been suspended by the party since the start of the campaign and other cases are still being investigated. Police arrested two men on suspicion of inciting racial hatred.
The Express reported how Polanski’s own behavior came under scrutiny after he backed a social media post attacking police officers arresting a man suspected of stabbing two Jewish men in Golders Green. Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley responded with a public letter warning the Green leader was fueling “escalating tensions”.
His apology did not extend to retracting the underlying claim; Polanski claimed he was “very concerned” by the footage of the arrest and hit back at Rowley for using an open letter, saying it was “an inappropriate way to do politics.”
What did Zack Polanski say about antisemitism allegations?
Polanski emphasized that there were only a “handful” of cases and that the “vast majority” of candidates “did great work.” He told the BBC on Wednesday that there would be a “standardized vetting process” that would include compulsory training for candidates “to make it clear that anti-Semitism is absolutely not welcome in the Green Party”.
Some of the most controversial statements about the conflict in Palestine, which Polanski told the BBC were “on the ballot” in Thursday’s election. More than 1,000 candidates signed the pledge to “protect the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.”
How did the antisemitism controversy affect Zack Polanski’s popularity?
YouGov data shows that the proportion of Britons with a negative view of Polanski has almost doubled since January, from 27 per cent to 47 per cent. Polanski, who was previously at the top of the leader’s popularity rankings across all the main parties, now lags behind both Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey in terms of net favourability.
The fight fractured within the party, The Times reported; Former leader Caroline Lucas demanded “immediate action” over what she called “completely unacceptable” statements, while deputy leader Mothin Ali went further and called on candidates to take legal action against their own party’s restraining orders.
What exactly did Zack Polanski share about the Golders Green stabbing?
The post, shared on
In an interview with the BBC, Polanski described being “traumatised to see someone being handcuffed and repeatedly kicked in the head” – but when journalists pointed out that the suspect was not actually handcuffed and was carrying a knife at the time, a party spokesman acknowledged that the leader had “misspoke”.
Polanski apologized the next day for sharing the post “in haste.”
What did the Green Party say about the suspended candidates?
A Green Party spokesperson said the following about members who were suspended for allegedly violating party rules: “We have over 4,500 candidates in these local elections and we are proud that the vast majority of them represent us.
“Where examples that do not align with the Green Party’s values are brought to our attention, we review them and, in some cases, candidates have already been suspended. We are investing to strengthen our vetting procedures to prevent unsuitable candidates from falling through the cracks.”
