Greens Open to Electoral Pact with Labour Only After Starmer’s Exit

The Green Party has expressed a willingness to consider an electoral pact with the Labour Party to counteract the influence of Nigel Farage and his Reform UK party. However, this collaboration hinges on the leadership of Labour, specifically the removal of Sir Keir Starmer from his position. According to Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green Party, the current Labour administration does not align with the Greens’ goals.

As the Green Party gains traction in opinion polls, speculation has mounted regarding a potential alliance with Labour ahead of local elections scheduled for May 2024. Despite this, Polanski emphasized that his priority is to “replace Labour, not work with them.”

When asked about the possibility of a partnership, Polanski indicated he might consider an alliance with Labour if Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, or Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, were to lead the party. He firmly rejected any collaboration under Starmer’s leadership, stating, “Under no circumstances could I see a scenario where I’d want to work with Labour led by Keir Starmer.” He articulated concerns that such a collaboration could lead to a more severe version of Farage’s politics in the future.

Polanski elaborated on his vision for leadership changes within Labour, expressing that individuals like Rayner might have potential, but acknowledged the challenges she faces due to her previous role in the government. “Angela Rayner, I think, has been tarnished by her previous role in this Labour government, where we had children being pushed into poverty,” he noted. He criticized Labour’s recent decision to end the two-child benefit cap as being “18 months too late” and suggested that the Greens played a role in forcing this change.

He further commented on Burnham as a potential leader, acknowledging him as an “outlier” but doubting his ability to return to Parliament while Labour’s current leadership persists. Polanski held Starmer accountable for what he described as an attempt to dismantle Labour’s progressive coalition through the expulsion of socialist elements. He believes that disillusioned Labour supporters are increasingly finding their political home within the Green Party.

Polanski’s interview with The Independent follows a year of significant political developments for the Green Party, which has seen a surge in popularity. Recent polling by FindOutNow indicated that the Greens are now neck and neck with Labour, with other surveys showing them slightly ahead. This shift has been underscored by the recent defection of five Labour councillors from Brent Council to the Green Party.

The Green Party leader also criticized potential successors to Starmer, particularly Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood. He condemned Mahmood for contributing to anti-migrant rhetoric and called for a fairer approach to the ongoing doctors’ pay dispute, criticizing Streeting’s handling of the matter. “Not only has Streeting not negotiated with them in a fair, transparent way, he’s also resorted to name-calling in public. That’s not someone I can imagine myself working with,” he remarked.

Polanski’s leadership has been marked by a focus on economic justice, and he relishes the attention from Labour figures who have publicly criticized him. He interpreted these attacks as a sign of the Greens’ growing political significance. “It is creating the reverse effect for them, where people are recognizing how badly they have failed,” he stated, expressing confidence in the party’s trajectory leading up to the next elections.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the Green Party’s position and strategy may play a pivotal role in shaping the future of left-leaning politics in the UK.