What's happened
Ipsos finds 52% of Britons view Green Party leader Polanski unfavourably, a six-point rise since September, with his net rating at a low of minus 36. The backlash follows the Brighton conference motion calling Zionism “racism” and his Holborn by-election defeat.
What's behind the headline?
- The poll marks a turning point: Polanski’s national standing has deteriorated to a historic low. - Internal Green Party divisions appear to be widening after the Brighton conference motion. - The Labour opposition is leveraging the rift, issuing ultimatums to coalition partners. - The story underscores how a single policy event can destabilise leadership across generation lines. - The data suggests the Greens risk losing a core voter bloc if the schism persists, with potential downstream effects on by-elections and coalition dynamics.
How we got here
Ipsos conducted the poll in October, in the wake of the Green Party conference vote and the Holborn by-election setback. It shows decreasing support among older voters and a drop among under-35s, while Labour voters also turn away from Polanski. The party faces internal criticism and calls for resignation as leadership questions intensify.
Our analysis
Independent (Oct 18): 'The Green Party leader has faced calls from his own members... Ipsos poll shows 52% unfavourable, minus 36 net rating.'; Independent (Oct 18, 00:01): 'Ipsos survey reveals 52% unfavourable view; Polanski’s net score falls; Labour’s stance intensifies.'
Go deeper
- Will Polanski’s position stabilise or may he face formal resignation calls?
- How will the internal party rifts affect future Green votes in by-elections?
- Is Labour set to press Green coalition partners to disown the motion?
More on these topics
-
Nigel Farage - Member of the European Parliament
Nigel Paul Farage is a British politician. He has been leader of the Brexit Party since 2019, and served as Member of the European Parliament for South East England from 1999 until the United Kingdom's exit from the EU in 2020.
-
Brighton - City in England
Brighton is a constituent part of the city of Brighton and Hove, a former town situated on the southern coast of England, in the county of East Sussex. It is best known as a seaside resort and is positioned 47 miles south of London. It was created from th
-
Kemi Badenoch - British politician and Leader of the Opposition to the British Government (2024–present) and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2024 (born 1980)
Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke Badenoch (née Adegoke; born 2 January 1980) is a British politician who has served as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Conservative Party since November 2024. Badenoch previously worked in the Cabinet for prime minister
-
Andy Burnham - Mayor of Greater Manchester
Andrew Murray Burnham is a British Labour Party politician who has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017. He attended Gordon Brown’s Cabinet as Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 2007 to 2008 and served in the Cabinet as Culture Secretary f
-
Ipsos - Market research company
Ipsos Group S.A. is a multinational market research with headquarters in Paris, France. The company was founded in 1975 by Didier Truchot, Chairman and CEO, and has been publicly traded on the Paris Stock Exchange since July 1, 1999.
-
Zack Polanski - Member of the London Assembly
Zack Polanski is a Green Party of England and Wales politician who has been a member of the London Assembly since May 2021. Polanski is also the national spokesperson for the Green Party for Democracy & Citizen Engagement.