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
Zack Polanski makes history as first openly gay man to lead a major UK political party
To reverse the ‘greenlash’, Europe’s Green parties should embrace Polanski’s boldness | Tarik Abou
Epic Vault Games 2026 Announced! Here's What To Expect! Zack Polanski Houseboat Tax (VTlOAUIpzL)
Zack Polanski told to step aside in Makerfield as senior Greens call for deal with Andy Burnham
Green Party's Zack Polanski makes history as first gay man to lead a major party, shares concerns over "biological sex" ruling
Treasury Secretary defends MPs drinking in the Commons insisting theyre not conducting open heart surgery
Zack Polanski faces investigation over Green leader's failure to pay council tax
Zack Polanski faces formal council tax probe after he admitted he may have made mistake
Zack Polanski faces formal probe after failing to pay council tax while living on narrowboat
Green Party leader Zack Polanski faces formal investigation over ‘unpaid’ council tax on his houseboat
"Starmer's downfall" accelerates in UK Labor Party; Burnham becomes likely candidate to become next prime minister; "two walls" stand in the way in House of Commons by
Green Party candidate in Makerfield withdraws from race less than a day after being put forward by Zack Polanski
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has issued a statement after the major announcement. He said the “greatest threat” was Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and slammed Andy Burnham
Zack Polanski registered on electoral roll at marina but refuses to say where he pays council tax
The Green party is split between two factions – but there is a strategy that could bring them together
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