Nightmare for Keir Starmer as he’s hit by five Labour defections to Greens | Politics | News
Five councilors switched from Labor to the Greens in a coup against Sir Keir Starmer. Green Party leader Zack Polanski promised his party was ready to “bury” Labor in next year’s local elections as he welcomed London councillors.
He said: “I think they’re broken and I think we’re ready to bury them.” Mr Polanski made his comments at an event where five councilors in the north-west London borough of Brent were welcomed to defect from Labor to the Greens.
Among those leaving were former cabinet member Harbi Farah and former whip Iman Ahmadi-Moghaddam, as well as Mary Mitchell, Tony Ethapemi and Erica Gbajumo.
Councilors Farah, Moghaddam, Ethapemi and Gbajumo were elected from Labor Party candidates earlier this year.
A Labor spokesman said they fell “below the standards we expect of those who wish to represent” the party.
Ms Mitchell said the group felt they were unable to represent their community as Labor members.
He said: “We always knew that being the party of government would put the party’s principles and values to the test, but we have watched this Government move further away from Labour’s founding principles of democracy, social justice and equality on every issue.
“We have great respect for our hard-working Labor colleagues and party members in Brent, but we no longer feel the party represents the values we hold.”
The departures come as Green Party membership continues to rise under Mr Polanski’s leadership, from 70,000 in September to more than 180,000.
The leap puts pressure on Labour’s left wing, as the Prime Minister faces ongoing questions over his leadership.
This increase has also led to speculation that Labor MPs may abandon ship.
But Mr Polanski downplayed the chances of that happening, saying: “What I’m really concentrating on and focusing on is winning over Green councils and Green MPs for the first time rather than defectors.
“So defectors are welcome. But I’m absolutely confident that we now have a platform where we can and will win seats from scratch in some of these areas, both nationally and certainly in London.”
A London Labor Party spokesman said: “Labour runs rigorous and transparent selection processes and maintains the highest standards for its candidates.
“Mr Polanski’s approach suggests a much lower bar for entry and raises serious questions about the level of scrutiny and judgment exercised in the Green Party.”
They added: “We look forward to the 2026 local elections where we will have a proud record of delivery and deliver for the people of Brent, working hand in hand with a Labor mayor and Labor national government.”
