Zack Polanski is heading for the exit - but one person will be licking their lips

Zack Polanski is heading for the exit - but one person will be licking their lips The Green Party leader's days appear to be numbered after humiliating defeat Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments ANALYSIS By Martyn Brown , Political Editor 08:13, Fri, Oct 9, 2026 Updated: 08:26, Fri, Oct 9, 2026 Zack Polanski (Image: Getty) Zack Polanski’s days are numbered as Green Party leader – and he knows it. After suffering a humiliating defeat to Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali in the high-stakes Holborn and St Pancras by-election, the former hypnotist’s political spell over his party has officially been broken. The loony left nearly destroyed the Labour Party during the Corbyn years – and now they are busy destroying the Greens from within. Polanski thought he could conquer Keir Starmer ’s old constituency and present himself as the undisputed kingmaker of radical left politics. Instead, his grand gamble collapsed into absolute farce. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Desperate to rescue his sinking campaign, Polanski made the fatal error of cutting short his attendance at the Greens' annual conference in Brighton. By sneaking away early to campaign in London, he was absent when party activists voted through a deeply toxic and damaging “Zionism is Racism” motion. Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . That catastrophic vote plunged the Green Party into full-scale meltdown, exposing a party fundamentally unfit for mainstream political life. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Labour MP swerves small boats question as BBC Question Time crowd give extreme response Zack Polanski just got put on resignation watch after by-election blow Andy Burnham (Image: Getty) Add to that his abysmal personal approval ratings – plunging to a catastrophic net rating of -29 after re-sharing offensive social media posts depicting violence against Nigel Farage - and it is clear why a majority of Britons now view the Greens as completely unserious. Activists and party insiders are already sharpening their knives to kick him out. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Yet Polanski’s self-inflicted downfall is music to the ears of Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Burnham’s arrival in Downing Street hastened the demise of the so-called "Green surge" that saw them snatch Gorton & Denton earlier this year. By holding Holborn and St Pancras comfortably, Burnham demonstrated that Labour can easily hold off challenges from radical flank candidates when the threat is tackled head-on. Polanski’s imminent removal will plunge the Greens back into bitter factional civil war and internal warfare. Without Polanski’s media-savvy antics to command the headline agenda, the party’s momentum will evaporate entirely. For Burnham, this couldn't come at a better time. A shattered, leaderless Green Party removes the primary threat to Labour’s left flank. Worryingly, this will give No 10 breathing space to push forward Burnham's legislative agenda unchallenged. And it could result in Labour extending its slim poll lead over Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and Kemi Badenoch’s Tories . But the overall message from voters is loud and clear: the Green circus is over, Zack Polanski is heading for the exit. Labour Party Green Party Andy Burnham Zack Polanski Nigel Farage Kemi Badenoch Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments