Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, found himself at the center of controversy following a fundraising event in Bristol, where a cartoon image of a guillotine on a T-shirt sparked accusations of inciting violence against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The incident occurred shortly after Polanski addressed attendees at a Green Party rave on Sunday, an event aimed at combining political engagement with music and community.
The man in question, who was among the first to arrive at the event, wore a T-shirt bearing a cartoon guillotine and the slogan “We’re only making plans for Nigel.” The phrase, drawn from a 1979 new-wave song, prompted Reform UK to file a police complaint alleging it constituted a call to violence against Farage. Polanski’s office quickly distanced him from the message, with a spokesman stating that Polanski condemned the image as “clearly in poor taste.” Polanski himself said he had been tagged in the social media post but had accepted it before fully understanding its content.
The rave, held at the Sawmills venue—a repurposed timber yard on Bristol’s outskirts—had been intended as a celebration of hope, solidarity, and the Green Party’s growing membership under Polanski’s leadership. Speaking to a largely youthful crowd, Polanski delivered a brief speech in support of rent control, wealth taxation, and social justice causes. He also expressed solidarity with the LGBT community following recent attacks, highlighted the removal of the slave trader Edward Colston’s statue, and called for an end to the genocide in Gaza. Notably absent were direct references to climate change or ongoing wildfires in France, despite these being core environmental concerns for the party.
The event, part of a series of Green Space club nights held in cities including Leeds and London, serves both as a fundraiser and a recruitment initiative. Organizers report that over £36,000 has been raised across four parties, with £5 from each ticket going directly to the Green Party. This grassroots approach contrasts with the substantial financial backing enjoyed by rival parties such as Reform UK, which receives significant donations from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne.
The atmosphere at the Bristol rave was described as inclusive and relaxed, with most attendees being white, middle-class young adults, alongside some older party members and local councilors. Activities beyond dancing included embroidery, origami, and craft-making, aimed at fostering community. Some attendees expressed mild disappointment at the limited focus on environmental issues during the event, emphasizing a desire to balance activism with celebration.
The rave concept was developed by London-based organizers Niall Moore and Felix Faillace, aiming to sustain political engagement through enjoyable social gatherings and strengthen party membership. For participants like Caleb Parkin, the events highlight the importance of collective joy in political movements, while climate activist Dominique Palmer framed them as a strategy to counter far-right influence through more vibrant community offerings.
Online, the fallout over the guillotine T-shirt elicited a defense of Polanski, with supporters dismissing the controversy as exaggerated. A Green Party spokesperson reiterated Polanski’s condemnation of the image and called for kindness and unity in public discourse, urging supporters to avoid further division.