Unsettling Election Climate
The current election campaign has taken an unusual turn, marked by an episode involving Green Party leader Zack Polanski and the candidate for Gorton and Denton, Hannah Spencer. A recent podcast featured both individuals expressing strong emotions, including tears, while discussing Ms. Spencer's greyhounds. This event has occurred amidst a broader context of the Green Party's growing influence and the upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton.
Campaign Context and Party Dynamics
The Green Party, under Zack Polanski's leadership, has seen a significant increase in membership and a rise in its standing as a left-wing opposition. This growth, particularly among younger voters, is partly attributed to what is described as an "anti-establishment strain" within the party's supporter base. The party aims to translate this momentum into electoral power, a goal that requires a robust campaign machine.
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Leadership Shift: Zack Polanski became the Green Party leader, surpassing established parliamentary figures. His background includes hypnotherapy and an earlier stint with the Liberal Democrats.
Party Growth: The Green Party has experienced a substantial increase in membership, reaching its largest size to date. Over 20,000 new members have joined recently, with 18- to 24-year-olds showing the most significant swing towards the party.
Gorton and Denton By-election: The party is actively campaigning in this by-election, framing it as a contest between "hope and hate" and specifically positioning it against Reform UK. Polanski has stated that he will not be standing as a candidate in this by-election, respecting democratic processes and local representation.
Policy Focus: The cost of living is identified as a primary concern for Green Party supporters.
Podcast Incident: A Focus on Greyhounds
In the latest episode of Zack Polanski's "Bold Politics" podcast, he and Hannah Spencer became emotional discussing Ms. Spencer's four greyhounds.
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Ms. Spencer reportedly became tearful when speaking about her first dog, Graham, stating he taught her "a lot about acceptance" during a difficult period.
Polanski remarked that "many people… may have looked over the precipice and not liked what they saw," though the precise context of this statement regarding the podcast's content is not detailed.
A recent poll indicated that fewer than a third of Green Party voters would support Polanski as prime minister.
Internal Party Currents
The Green Party is experiencing internal dynamics related to its evolving political stance and organizational maturity.
Greens Organise: A faction within the party, reportedly with around 1,200 members, has gained attention following Polanski's leadership victory. This group advocates for the party to pursue more ambitious policies.
Populist Stance: Polanski has expressed a desire for the Green Party to adopt a more "populist" approach, a sentiment that has drawn comparisons to figures like Nigel Farage.
Evidence of Support and Challenges
Data suggests a growing interest in the Green Party, alongside questions about its readiness for greater electoral success.
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Membership Surge: The party's membership has climbed significantly, indicating increased engagement.
Youth Appeal: Younger demographics, particularly 18- to 24-year-olds, are showing a strong inclination to vote Green and have demonstrated the largest shift in support.
Electoral Strategy: The party's leadership is reportedly exploring pathways to achieve electoral victories, acknowledging the importance of resources and a well-developed party infrastructure for scaling up from protest politics.
Public Perception: The podcast incident has coincided with polls questioning voter confidence in Polanski's potential as a prime minister.
Expert Perspectives
Analysts note the Green Party's ascent as a significant force on the left of British politics, though its path to power is subject to ongoing scrutiny.
Polanski's Rise: Zack Polanski's elevation to leader is seen by some as reflecting a broader left-wing sentiment seeking an alternative to the current Labour leadership.
Left-Wing Opposition: The Green Party is now considered the largest left-wing opposition to the Labour Party.
From Protest to Power: A key challenge for the party is its transition from a protest movement to a substantial electoral force, requiring both a larger membership and financial backing.
Conclusion and Implications
The Green Party's campaign is marked by a period of increased membership and electoral ambition, as demonstrated by its focus on the Gorton and Denton by-election. The recent podcast featuring Zack Polanski and Hannah Spencer, while ostensibly about personal experiences with greyhounds, has drawn attention due to the emotional nature of the discussion and occurred at a time of public polling that questions Polanski's leadership approval.
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The party faces the challenge of consolidating its growing support base and demonstrating its capacity to translate momentum into tangible electoral gains.
The framing of the Gorton and Denton by-election as a "hope vs. hate" contest highlights the Green Party's strategic positioning against other political forces.
Questions may arise regarding the appropriateness of certain campaign activities, such as the emotional podcast, in the context of broader electoral objectives and public perception.
Sources:
Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15556871/Green-leader-Polanski-Gorton-candidate-weep-greyhounds.html - Reported on the podcast incident involving Zack Polanski and Hannah Spencer and their emotional discussion about greyhounds.
BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyrev00lwno - Provided background information on Zack Polanski, his political history, and his views.
BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dx85q4dyzo - Discussed the Green Party's momentum and its efforts to convert it into electoral power.
Britbrief: https://britbrief.co.uk/politics/elections/greens-gorton-and-denton-by-election-is-hope-vs-hate-choice.html - Covered Zack Polanski's framing of the Gorton and Denton by-election and his assurance that he would not stand as a candidate.
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/29/zack-polanski-effect-charts-reveal-greens-advance - Analyzed the Green Party's advance under Zack Polanski, including supporter demographics and concerns.
The Canary: https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2026/01/25/polanski-rules-self-out/ - Confirmed Zack Polanski's decision not to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
WSWS: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/11/14/yazw-n14.html - Provided an analysis of the Green Party under Zack Polanski as a growing left-wing opposition.
