Reform UK challenges Zack Polanski to TV debate ahead of by-election | Politics | News
Zia Yousuf challenged Green leader Zack Polanski in Manchester this week ahead of the by-election. Reform UK’s head of policy insisted the Greens “owe it to the public to engage seriously with the important details of your policy platform”.
In a letter to Mr. Polanski, Mr. Yusuf said he would campaign in Gorton and Denton on Thursday and invited him to participate in a televised debate. The by-election is expected to be a three-horse race between Labour, Reform and the Greens in the constituency.
Mr Yusuf said in his letter: “There is a by-election in Manchester where there is an expectation that you will challenge Reformation at the ballot box.
“I’ll be there next Thursday and I’ll even let you choose a moderator of your choice.”
The reform politician has introduced a number of Green policies, including on immigration, defense and the economy.
He said: “Your party ‘wants to see a world without borders’ and makes clear that ‘immigration’ is not a crime under any circumstances.”
“While you support unrestricted immigration and therefore the invasion of the UK by all those who choose to come to our shores, you owe it to the British people to explain what impact this will have on their lives.
“While Vladimir Putin was plundering Ukraine, you declared you would destroy Britain’s nuclear deterrent.
“When Trevor Phillips challenged you on how to do this, you said you would ask Putin to lay down his weapons as well.
“Given that your previous attempts at hypnosis have failed, the British public deserve a clear understanding of what methods you would use to persuade Putin to do such a thing.
“You say the rich don’t pay enough taxes. But your appearance on The Rest is Politics gave away the fact that you don’t even know what the top rate of income tax is.
“You didn’t know the difference between the national debt and the budget deficit. You are trying to disrupt the British economy using the economic knowledge of a GCSE student.
“You said you wanted to outlaw landlords and legalize all drugs. In your version of Britain, it’s legal to buy crack cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, but it’s illegal to rent your flat.”
“Once again, the British people have a right to understand how they can expect their children to be protected from the dangers of hard drugs if you achieve your objectives.”
Mr Polanski said he would attend a debate but only with Reform England leader Nigel Farage.
The Green leader said: “As I have constantly said, I would be more than happy to have a debate leader to leader with Nigel Farage.
“I’m starting to get the impression that he’s not so keen? Perhaps you could be kind enough to pass on this message?”
