Greens may be part of pact with Labour to cease Farage – however provided that Starmer is changed as chief, Polanski says | EUROtoday

The Green Party is keen to contemplate becoming a member of an electoral pact with Labour to cease Nigel Farage’s Reform UK – however not whereas Sir Keir Starmer is chief, Zack Polanski has stated.

With his get together rising quickly within the opinion polls, there was widespread hypothesis that the Greens may work with the Labour Party to tackle Reform on the native elections in May – however chief Mr Polanski has insisted his precedence now’s “to replace Labour, not work with them”.

Pressed on whether or not he can be open to a pact, Mr Polanski advised The Independent he would contemplate an alliance with Labour if former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner or Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham have been to grow to be chief, however stated such a deal is out of the query at current.

“Under no circumstances could I see a scenario where I’d want to work with Labour led by Keir Starmer,” he stated.

“All I think working with Keir Starmer would do is create an even worse [version of] Nigel Farage down the track.”

With the prime minister’s place underneath scrutiny amid widespread hypothesis about makes an attempt to exchange him, Mr Polanski pointed to potential leaders he would work with, whereas ruling out others.

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He stated: “I feel it would be easier to work with someone like [former deputy prime minister] Angela Rayner, but it’s not for me to decide whether she’s lost public trust.

“Angela Rayner, I think, has been tarnished by her previous role in this Labour government, where we had children being pushed into poverty.”

He argued that the latest U-turn to finish the two-child profit cap was “18 months too late” and “forced on Labour” partly due to the political success of the Greens fairly than strain from the likes of Ms Rayner.

He went on: “Andy Burnham probably is the outlier, but I can’t see a scenario where he could get back into parliament whilst we have the control ‘freakery’ of this Labour government.”

The Green Party chief accused Sir Keir of being “the first Labour leader in history that’s wanted to destroy his own progressive coalition” by “purging” socialists from his get together.

“I think those people have realised in increasing numbers that their home is in the Green Party. That’s why I say we’re not here to be disappointed by Labour or concerned by Labour. We’re here to replace Labour.”

He added: “I think the Green Party can absolutely lead the left, and I will play my part in that as leader of the Green Party.”

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Mr Polanski was additionally scathing about two of the favourites to succeed Sir Keir – Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood, who was just lately feted by Sir Tony Blair.

“Shabana Mahmood is someone who has actively fuelled the anti-migrant rhetoric that was started with Reform but seems to be finished by this Labour Party,” he stated.

He highlighted points such because the proscribing of Palestine Action and the “unconscionable” therapy of supporters of the group who’re on starvation strike whereas awaiting trial in jail for alleged break-ins or legal injury.

Meanwhile, the docs’ pay dispute has additionally confirmed Mr Polanski’s distaste for the well being secretary.

“He [Wes Streeting] is showing his true colours. Where are they taking the fight over multi-millionaires or billionaires or taxing wealth? No, they’re taking it to the doctors who have received a cut in real terms over the last 17 years.

“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.”

Mr Polanski spoke to The Independent on the finish of final yr, when he received the management of his get together on a “populist left” ticket after which noticed it entice the assist of former Labour voters.

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The get together has seen a major increase in assist since Mr Polanski’s election, with one opinion ballot carried out by FindOutNow in October placing the Greens neck and neck with Labour. And final month, 5 Labour councillors from Brent in London introduced they have been defecting to the Greens.

The interview additionally noticed him admit that he enjoys the truth that main figures in Labour are scared sufficient of him to assault him in public, arguing it has confirmed that the Greens have grow to be a major political pressure within the UK underneath his management, with a brand new focus “on economic justice”.

Attack movies have come from Mr Streeting and the Home Office minister, Mike Tapp.

He stated: “We’ve also got the chancellor Rachel Reeves during her biggest speech of the year, using that moment to make cheap jokes at my expense. And what’s beautiful about all of this is how it keeps backfiring every single time.

“It is creating the reverse effect for them, where people are recognising how badly they have failed. I say, ‘bring on the attacks in 2026’ because we’re ready for them and we’re only getting stronger.”