Zack Polanski admits he did not vote at recent local elections
Green Party leader Zack Polanski admitted that he did not vote in the last local elections, despite claims that he had previously voted by mail.
An aide to Mr Polanski had previously suggested to the leader that a postal vote be held in Hackney for Green Party mayoral candidate Zoë Garbett.
However, the Party has now backtracked on this claim and after investigation said it was a miscommunication. The Times.
It has now emerged that the politician is in the process of moving and is “unable to vote” due to increased security concerns due to “antisemitic and homophobic abuse”.
A Green Party spokesman said: “Zack was unable to vote. He was in the process of moving and when that failed he moved into a rented house as a tenant.” Independent on Thursday.
“He ran out of time to register at the new location, especially given the extra process he had to go through to register anonymously. Zack has recently experienced increased safety concerns after being the target of antisemitic and homophobic abuse.”
Mr. Polanski is currently in talks with his local authorities to allow anonymous registration, an option normally open to public figures such as politicians. He is also meeting with the Metropolitan Police to review security arrangements.
But one Labor MP was not convinced and said: Times: “Many MPs and their families register anonymously. It is quite easy to get a signed form from the police. The same goes for victims of domestic violence and some municipal employees. So this is not a legitimate excuse.”
Local elections were held on May 7 but Mr Polanski was not in the capital at the time and was campaigning in Wales instead.
Under his leadership the Green Party enjoyed unprecedented popularity, winning 587 seats, five councils and the first elected mayors in Hackney and Lewisham.
The latest executive row follows recent reports that Mr Polanski had not paid the correct amount of council tax while living on a houseboat in London.
A spokesman for the Green Party described the situation as an “inadvertent mistake” and said it was “taking immediate steps” to settle the outstanding taxes.
“Until relatively recently, Zack lived on a houseboat, which came with its own set of practical circumstances and considerations,” they said.
“He immediately took the necessary steps to pay council tax if he was owed money. Zack sincerely apologizes for his inadvertent mistake.”
