Zack Polanski
David Paulden
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Who is this?
Zack Polanski (born David Paulden; 2 November 1982) is a British politician who has been the leader of the Green Party of England and Wales since September 2025 and a member of the London Assembly (AM) since May 2021. Before being elected leader, Polanski was previously the deputy leader of the Greens from 2022 to 2025. Born and raised in Salford, Greater Manchester, Polanski studied drama at Aberystwyth University from 2003 to 2006 and attended a drama school in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States. He has worked as an actor, school activity provider and hypnotherapist. Polanski joined the Liberal Democrats in 2015, and stood as a candidate for the St Pancras and Somers Town by-election to Camden London Borough Council that year. In the 2016 London Assembly election, he stood for the Barnet and Camden constituency. Polanski joined the Greens in 2017, and stood as the Green candidate for the Lancaster Gate by-election to Westminster City Council in November 2018. In 2019, he stood for the Cities of London and Westminster parliamentary constituency. In 2021, Polanski was elected a Member of the London Assembly. He also stood for the West Central constituency, and the Churchill by-election to Westminster City Council. In 2022, Polanski was elected deputy leader of the Greens. This preceded his re-election to the London Assembly in 2024. In 2025, Polanski was elected his party's leader, succeeding the joint leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay. During his leadership, the Greens have made significant gains, including Hannah Spencer's victory in the 2026 Gorton and Denton by-election, shortly after which the party membership exceeded 220,000—a threefold increase since the start of his term. Polanski has discussed his intention to run for MP in a seat in North London in the next general election. Polanski describes his political views as eco-populist, linking issues such as high costs of living with climate change, and supporting a wealth tax in an effort to reduce wealth inequality.
Career
- 1982Birth
What happened recently
Stewart Lee: Zack, put your phone down – now Nigel’s making plans to get off the hook
The Burnham bounce is eclipsing the Green surge – and Zack Polanski’s radical hope is being tested
Zack Polanski refuses to apologise for guillotine T-shirt post as police take no action
‘Terminally online’: why frustrated Greens want Polanski to hand over his social media
Zack Polanski admits guillotine post was ‘mistake’ but refuses to apologise to Nigel Farage
Reform leader Nigel Farage reports Green Party's Zack Polanski to police over 'inciteful' post
Zack Polanski should be arrested over ‘incitement to murder’, Farage says after Greens leader posts guillotine T
'He's British!' Zack Polanski says it 'doesn't make sense' to deport rape gang ringleader
Zack Polanski accused of 'squatting' in houseboat as housing arrangements under fire
UK Greens leader Zack Polanski rejects antisemitism claims over call to monitor British IDF soldiers
Zack Polanski should follow Tom and Barbara’s example and live the Good Life
Trevor Bauer’s K’s First Batter As A Long Island Duck! Zack Polanski Ministry Of Justice (Dba2rWkDve)
Greens examining how party decides policy as membership triples under Zack Polanski
People who menstruate may get an extra 36 paid days of annual leave a year due to new Green Party proposal
