Zack Polanski elected leader of the Green Party but what is his stance on trans rights?

Zack Polanski has been elected as the new leader of the Green Party, securing 85% of the vote in a leadership contest.

The former deputy leader and London Assembly member defeated the joint ticket of MPs Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns, receiving 20,411 votes to their 3,705.

In his victory speech, he pledged “bold action and bold leadership,” positioning the Greens as a progressive alternative to Labour. “We’re not here to be disappointed by you, we’re here to replace you,” he declared, promising to nationalise water companies and hold the Labour government to account.

Throughout the campaign, Polanski championed an “eco-populist” approach, aiming to make the party more visible and rooted in communities. He has called for the Greens to become a mass movement, combining evidence-based policy with compelling storytelling.

Polanski’s election also signals a firm stance on trans rights, an issue that has caused internal tensions within the party in recent years. He has consistently defended trans rights and opposed attempts to dilute the party’s inclusive policies.

In response to the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on the legal definitions of “sex” and “women,” Polanski condemned the decision as “thinly veiled transphobia,” stating, “Trans rights are human rights”.

He has also criticised Conservative-led culture wars that scapegoat trans people, calling them a distraction from real systemic injustices.

At the Scottish Greens’ 2022 autumn conference, Polanski delivered a passionate defence of trans rights, urging unity across marginalised communities. “There’s no LGB without the T,” he said, emphasising that attacks on one group threaten all.

In a 2023 interview, Polanski reaffirmed that transphobia is not welcome in the Green Party. He stated unequivocally that members who misgender trans individuals “should not have a place in the Greens,” reinforcing the party’s commitment to inclusivity.