Who is Zack Polanski? What to know about the Green Party leader after by-election win | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload ourSocial PartnerWe are 8 logo (opens in a new tab)AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleIndependent ReportersFriday 27 February 2026 11:03 GMTZack Polanski celebrates Greens’ win in Gorton and Denton: 'A message of hope'Zack Polanski, 42, was elected to be the leader of the Green Party in September 2025, and believes the ‘sky’s the limit’ after his party won their first ever seat in parliamentary by-election.The London Assembly member secured a landslide victory in the leadership election with 20,411 votes, campaigning on an "eco populism" platform and promising a more aggressive campaign style.Polanski, a former actor and hypnotherapist, aims to broaden the party's focus beyond climate change to include wider left-wing issues, having previously served as deputy leader.His political background includes an early stint with the Liberal Democrats before joining the Greens in 2017, and he was elected to the London Assembly in 2021.His campaign gained significant traction through a pugnacious communication style and social media savvy, despite past controversies such as a 2013 article about his offer to increase an undercover newspaper reporter’s breast size and improve her body image.In fullIs this the left’s answer to Farage? Meet the ex-Lib Dem, ex-hypnotherapist set to lead the Green PartyThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in