The Green Party is reviewing its social media operations following a recent controversy involving party leader Zack Polanski and an Instagram post. The incident has prompted discussions within the party about vetting, online conduct, and the balance between engagement and credibility.
The controversy began when Polanski shared an Instagram post containing a carousel of 20 pictures, one of which featured a man wearing a T-shirt with a guillotine graphic and the slogan "We're only making plans for Nigel." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage characterized the T-shirt as incitement to murder and reported the post to the police. However, neither the Metropolitan Police nor Avon and Somerset Police stated that the incident met the threshold for further action.
Despite the lack of police action, the political fallout has continued, with Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick calling Polanski a "nasty piece of work." Within the Green Party, there has been some criticism of Polanski's online activity. A senior party source indicated that due diligence had not been performed on Polanski's social media output, suggesting a need for "tight controls" to maintain credibility while preserving his engagement style.
This incident is not the first time Polanski's rapid online interactions have drawn criticism. Last month, he apologized to police after posting about their response to an attack in Golders Green. The current situation has been described by one party insider as Polanski having "shot himself in the foot at precisely the wrong time."
The controversy comes as recent polling suggests the Green Party has lost some ground to the Labour Party, falling from a peak earlier in the year. Concerns have also been raised about broader issues with the party's vetting processes for social media and candidates, including past instances of antisemitic posts. Several candidates have withdrawn from recent elections due to their social media activity, with two candidates arrested during May's local elections and another suspended after being elected.
However, Green Party peer Baroness Jones suggested that criticism of Polanski's Instagram re-post was primarily coming from political opponents rather than internal discussions. She acknowledged that her party leader had "made a mistake" but added that his "online presence is what makes him relatable."
Polanski's active online presence has contributed to his popularity. He is the second-most followed UK leader on Instagram after Nigel Farage, and the Green Party has become the most popular party on the platform this year, surpassing other parties. This online engagement is seen as particularly important for the party, as pollsters YouGov indicate they are the most popular party among voters under 30, a demographic that spends significant time on such platforms.