Burnham urges Polanski to reverse Green Party Zionism motion
Andy Burnham has called on Green leader Zack Polanski to reverse a controversial party motion declaring Zionism a form of racism amid a crucial by-election.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Andy Burnham has urged Green leader Zack Polanski to overturn a party motion defining Zionism as racism.
- Polanski left the conference early and did not vote on the controversial motion due to his by-election campaign.
- Former Green leader Caroline Lucas strongly criticized Polanski for failing to attend the debate and vote.
- The controversy overshadowed the final days of the Holborn and St Pancras by-election race against Labour.
Andy Burnham has publicly called on Green Party leader Zack Polanski to reverse a motion passed by party members declaring Zionism to be a form of racism. Speaking on Thursday, October 8, 2026, Burnham stated that the passed motion effectively undermines the prospects of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
The controversy emerged as polls closed in Thursday's high-stakes Holborn and St Pancras by-election, where Polanski stood as a candidate seeking to overturn a substantial Labour majority in the seat previously held by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The motion has heavily disrupted the final stretch of Polanski's campaign. Four out of the five Green MPs opposed the motion, while the party's co-deputy leaders split on the issue, the Green deputy leader in Wales resigned, and several European counterparts condemned the decision.
"He should have been there and he should have voted."
Caroline Lucas
Former Green leader Caroline Lucas criticized Polanski for leaving the conference early and failing to take part in the debate. Lucas, who voted against the motion, described the policy as flawed from top to bottom, dangerous, and divisive, adding that the jury remains out on whether Polanski will demonstrate the necessary leadership.
This internal dispute highlights the unique mechanics of the Green Party's internal democracy model, where official policy is formulated directly by members at conferences rather than solely by leadership, occasionally creating tension during high-profile electoral campaigns.
In a previous statement, Polanski avoided clarifying whether he personally supported the motion, emphasizing instead that he would refuse to exclude anyone from the party based on their religious or communal affiliations. A Green Party spokesperson added that the issue is deeply emotional, complex, and tied to ongoing concerns regarding Israel's actions.
Source: BBC Politics
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment