Green Party Sees Exodus of 20,000 Members Amid Controversy Over Zionism Vote

The Green Party has experienced a loss of nearly 20,000 members in less than six months, a significant drop attributed to backlash over a resolution passed at its annual conference. The motion, which effectively calls for the abolition of Israel, has been labeled by some as anti-Semitic and has led to a deepening crisis within the party.

Co-leader Zack Polanski has seen his party's poll numbers plummet since the resolution was passed. Drew Creek, the leader of Cornwall Greens and Newquay mayor, was among the latest councillors to defect, stating the motion had "crossed a line" and that Polanski had "doubled down" in his support for it. Creek announced his defection to the Labour Party, declaring, "I didn't leave the Green Party; the party left me."

At least ten other Green councillors have defected over the motion, with some moving to the Liberal Democrats and others choosing to sit as independents. The resolution, supported by Greens for Palestine, asserts that individuals who believe Jewish people have a right to an ancestral homeland in Israel are racist. This stance has led to an estimated 8% decrease in paid-up members since the spring, translating to a potential annual loss of £110,000 for every 1% of members who quit.

Politicians in opposing parties have reportedly been hesitant to accept defections from the Green Party, with one Labour figure explicitly stating they would not accept Green members on a matter of principle. Polanski's personal approval ratings have fallen to an all-time low, with 52% of the public viewing him unfavorably.

When questioned about the controversy, Polanski maintained that polling indicated the "vast majority of Green voters from 2024" support the policy, though he expressed a desire to amend it "at the first available opportunity." In response to the internal turmoil, the Green Party announced the formation of a "working group" to discuss improvements to the party's democratic systems. This group includes Polanski and his deputies, Mothin Ali and Rachel Millward.

The controversial motion was passed by only 1,022 members, a small fraction of the party's nearly 200,000-strong membership. Adrian Ramsay, a Green MP who previously ran against Polanski for leadership, is expected to criticize the current direction of the party. Ramsay is reportedly leading a group of senior Greens advocating for a broader "conversation about the party's direction."

The political fallout has also affected alliances with other parties. Labour has vowed to end pacts with Green councils that supported the controversial motion. The Labour-Green alliance on Lewes District Council has already been dissolved through mutual agreement. A spokesperson for the Green Party declined to comment on membership numbers.