Polanski says two-party politics 'dead' after election gains for Greens

Zack Polanski asserted that two-party politics is "dead and buried" as the Green Party celebrated significant local election victories, including their inaugural elected mayors.

The leader of the Green Party of England and Wales expressed confidence that the party's results at the polls support their ambition to potentially replace Labour.

The Greens secured control in Norwich, Hastings, and the London borough of Waltham Forest, alongside winning the mayoral elections in Hackney and Lewisham.

Moreover, the party achieved its first two elected members in the Welsh Parliament, while the Scottish Greens marked a milestone by winning their initial constituencies in the Scottish Parliament.

Polanski noted that some voters are turning to the Greens due to their "disillusionment" with Labour. However, he emphasized that it is encouraging to see "lots of people" supporting the party for the first time.

The increasing backing for the Greens facilitated their success in various regions across England, including Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Oxford, and Exeter.

A particularly noteworthy triumph occurred in Hackney, where Zoë Garbett defeated her Labour rival to become mayor. Polanski hailed this as a "historic victory," which was quickly followed by Liam Shrivastava's success over Labour, thereby becoming the mayor of Lewisham.

Commenting on the outcome in Hackney, Polanski remarked: "Two-party politics is not just dying; it is dead and it is buried.

"And actually, whether it's here that Labour have been rejected, or whether we're seeing around the country, it's very clear that the new politics is the Green Party versus Reform."

When questioned whether it was a favorable vote for the Greens or a protest vote against the Labour government, Polanski noted a "rise in the Green vote."

He further stated: "I think people are both sick of Labour but also really excited by a Green alternative."

Polanski also expressed his belief that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer "needs to go," adding: "But I don't think that's my message; I think that's the country's message."

Green Party deputy leader Rachel Millward remarked that the party had "massively increased our vote share pretty much everywhere we've stood," highlighting a "massive breakthrough" in London and surpassing expectations in Manchester.

Polling expert Sir John Curtice indicated that the Greens achieved their "best-ever performance," revealing the projected national vote share for Britain.

This data suggested the Greens garnered 18% of the vote, placing them behind Reform UK at 26%, but ahead of Labour and the Conservatives, both at 17%, and the Liberal Democrats at 16%.

These insights were derived from results across more than 1,000 wards where the BBC compiled thorough voting data, assuming that those who did not participate in the elections would behave similarly to those who did.