Since his election as leader of the Greens last year, Zack Polanski has seen his party soar in the polls and its membership swell. After winning a historic victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election in February, where their candidate beat Nigel Farage’s Reform to take the seat, they are predicted to be one of the big winners in Thursday’s local elections in England. But Mr Polanski’s popularity ratings have taken a major hit following a row with the chief of the Metropolitan Police over a post he shared about the Golders Green stabbings, with his “net approval” falling 14 points. The Greens leader has repeatedly apologised for suggesting hypnotherapy could increase breast size. He has faced criticism since he made the controversial remark to a journalist from The Sun in 2013, before entering politics. Asked about the article last year, when he announced his bid to stand for the party’s leadership, he expressed regret, saying he was at the time “a young Londoner who was holding down four jobs”.
Published: May 6, 2026 4:26 pm
Source: The Independent — Read original