1.2.3 – Emerging and minor UK political parties
Following his election as leader of the Green Party in September, Zack Polanski has overseen a surge in new members joining the Greens, reaching over 150,000. This has had a significant impact on the party’s income, with over £4 million raised in a matter of weeks. The extra income is likely to be spent – in part – on digital advertising, which the party are way behind the more established (and better financed) parties, in order to help further spread their message.
In addition to a boost in the number of members the party has, they have also surged in recent polls, which put them on around 17% – comfortably ahead of the Lib Dems and in similar territory to Labour and the Conservatives. Amongst 18-24 year-olds the Greens are the most popular party on 34%.
There are different reasons given for the ‘Polanksi effect’. His strong social media presence has undoubtedly helped increase the Green’s popularity, and the party’s populist message is helping it carve out its own space on the left of the political spectrum, especially at a time when Labour are taking a harder line on issues like immigration. This has already led to Keir Starmer receiving warnings about Labour losing support to the Greens from those in the party unhappy with their new tone on issues around immigration and asylum.
Polanski – and the Greens – have also benefitted greatly from the failure of the Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana to successfully launch Your Party, with the new group beset by political infighting between its founders,
thereby ensuring the Greens have enjoyed a free run at establishing itself as the ‘real alternative’ on the left to Labour.
Through a combination of good fortune, strong social media presence, and a popular (or populist) message, Zack Polanksi has helped to grow the Green Party brand, and ensure it is seen as part of the threat faced by the establishment political order, in a way not too dissimilar to what Reform UK are doing on the right. Even without necessarily converting support into seats, the Greens are an important reminder of the role minor parties can play in affecting the direction of the established parties.