The new Green Party leader has a clear message. He wants to tax the wealthiest to fix the nation. Zack Polanski addressed his party’s conference in Bournemouth. He boldly declared that this radical tax plan would finally end “rip-off Britain.” Furthermore, he promised it would make the country an affordable place for everyone.
Polanski passionately spoke to party members. He argued for a new tax on the assets of the richest 1%. Consequently, he stated this revenue would transform public funding. Specifically, it would pay for universal free childcare. Additionally, it would fund special needs education. It would also restore rural bus routes.
Surprisingly, his speech did not focus primarily on the environment. Instead, he connected ecological and social issues directly. “You cannot be an effective environmentalist,” he insisted, “without talking about deep inequality.” Therefore, much of his address centred on the cost-of-living crisis. He pointed to rising homelessness as a key issue. He also mentioned tenants fearing rent hikes. Moreover, he highlighted families struggling with soaring bills.
He fiercely criticized the current economic model. He blamed “an economic model built on austerity and privatisation.” However, he offered a hopeful alternative. The Green Party, he vowed, would “break the shackles of poverty.” He then repeated his core solution. The party will tax the wealthiest to achieve this. He assured ordinary workers they were not his target. For instance, he mentioned hairdressers and plumbers. He understood their concerns about ambition and tax. Instead, he aimed at the super-rich. These individuals, he claimed, earn more in one night than most people earn in a year.
Polanski also strongly defended migrants and refugees. The audience responded with loud applause. He accused the Labour Party of being “handmaidens” to Reform UK. “When Farage says jump,” he quipped, “Labour asks ‘how high’.” He labelled Nigel Farage a “Trump-loving corporate stooge.” He then accused Labour leader Keir Starmer of jumping to his tune.
Moreover, he sharply criticized the government’s approach to protest. He called it a “draconian crackdown.” He also condemned the “mass slaughter in Palestine.” Therefore, he demanded an immediate halt to arms sales to Israel. He also called for an end to intelligence sharing.
He passionately defended migration. “We’ll say it loud,” he declared to cheers, “migrants and refugees are welcome here.” He contrasted his view with Keir Starmer’s recent “island of strangers” comment. “This is a nation of neighbours,” Polanski stated firmly. He linked his personal history to this belief. His Jewish ancestry saw his family flee across Europe. Ultimately, they found safety in England.
In conclusion, Polanski outlined a significant leftward shift. He described himself as an “eco-populist.” His goal is to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. The Greens have recently seen a membership surge. It has risen to an all-time high of 80,000. Additionally, Polanski expressed interest in collaborating with other progressives. These include former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. The party’s central promise remains clear. They will tax the wealthiest to fund a fairer Britain.
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