- Zack Polanski elected new Green Party Leader with Rachel Millward and Mothin Ali as deputies, after winning a landslide 20,411 votes against Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay’s 3,705.
- Southend Green councillors Stuart Allen and Richard Longstaff praised the new leadership as bold, multicultural, and rooted in grassroots action — committed to people, planet, justice, and unity.
- With four MPs and strong second-place results, the Greens are confident of major gains at the next General Election, building on the legacy of outgoing co-leaders Adrian Ramsay and Carla Denyer.
The South East Essex Green Party has welcomed the election of Zack Polanski as the new Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales. With Rachel Millward and Mothin Ali announced as deputies.
Polanski, a London Assembly Member, secured a decisive mandate from Green Party members, winning 20,411 votes against the 3,705 votes cast for MPs Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay’s joint ticket.
Cllr Stuart Allen, Leader of the Green Group on Southend-on-Sea City Council and Leigh Ward Councillor, said:
“Huge congratulations to Zack on his landslide win. He fights for all of us. In every word and action, he champions both people and the planet. He will provide the Greens with bold leadership and help take this country towards a greener, fairer, and brighter future.
“Residents know that we work hard in our neighbourhoods, and our grassroots outlook will continue and expand under our new leader.”
Cllr Richard Longstaff, Leigh ward councillor, added:
“This is bold and diverse leadership, exactly what the Green Party, and the country, needs. Zack, Rachel and Mothin bring conviction, compassion and fresh energy to national politics. They will be powerful advocates for social, racial, economic and environmental justice.
“Here in Southend, we’re working hard to show what real change looks like – protecting our environment, standing up for communities, and bringing people together where outdated politics too often divides.
“The Greens are the party of hope and unity. With this new leadership team, I believe we can inspire many more people to join us in building a fairer, greener future.”
“People are rightly feeling let down and angry at Labour and are appalled by the rise of the far-right. People have been crushed by spiralling rents and bills while wages have not kept pace. For too long it’s felt like there has been no reprieve. But there is a way forward.
We need bold action, bold leadership. It’s time the super-rich paid their share. It’s time to tax extreme wealth and redistribute it to those struggling to live, to breathe, to survive.”
Zack Polanski, Leader of the Green Party of England & Wales
The South East Essex Green Party also paid tribute to outgoing co-leaders Adrian Ramsay and Carla Denyer, thanking them for their service and commitment to the party.
With four MPs now in Parliament and more than 30 second-place finishes at the last General Election, the Greens are confident of dramatically growing their representation at the next election.
– ENDS –
Notes to editor:
- Full election results for the leadership, deputy leadership and Green Party Executive are available here: https://greenparty.org.uk/internal-elections/
- Zack Polanski short biography:
Zack is a member of the London Assembly.
He served as Deputy Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales since 2022.
Zack is currently Chair of the London Assembly Fire Committee, and sits on both the Economy and Budget Committees. He has previously chaired the Environment Committee.
Before entering politics, Zack worked in community theatre, specialising in Theatre of the Oppressed with marginalised communities to help them tell their own stories. He also spent many years in hospitality, working in bars and nightclubs.
Outside of politics, Zack still loves the theatre, supports Forest Green Rovers and lives in Hackney with his partner Richie, who works in palliative care.