Zack Polanski declares unwavering support for trans community: "Solidarity is non-negotiable"

Zack Polanski, newly elected leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, has made a powerful and unequivocal statement of support for the trans community, declaring that solidarity is "non-negotiable" under his leadership.

In an exclusive interview with The Canary, Polanski emphasised that transphobia will not be tolerated within the party, stating: “Transphobia will absolutely not be tolerated under my leadership, and it will never be acceptable in the Green Party.”

Polanski, who secured the leadership with a commanding 85% of the vote, framed his stance as part of a broader commitment to progressive politics rooted in solidarity with marginalised communities. “Left-wing politics, progressive politics, at its heart, if nothing else, is about solidarity,” he said.

His leadership comes at a time of heightened debate around trans rights in the UK, particularly following a controversial Supreme Court ruling that defined “sex” in legal terms as “biological sex”. Polanski responded to the ruling by calling it “thinly veiled transphobia” and pledged “unconditional” support for trans people.

“We must stand resolute, determined in this moment and support our trans siblings unconditionally – there is light but we’re going to have to fight for it by turning up and refusing to be silent,” he wrote.

Polanski also criticised recent advice from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) suggesting transgender people be excluded from single-sex spaces, calling it “horrific”.

Beyond trans rights, Polanski’s platform centres on tackling inequality, climate justice, and economic reform. He has called for rent controls, nationalisation of water companies, and taxing extreme wealth to redistribute resources to those most in need. He argues that inequality is a shared struggle across urban and rural communities, from renters in London to farmers facing corporate exploitation.