The Green Party of England and Wales is undergoing a significant political shift as a hard-left faction gains influence, raising questions about the party’s future direction and electoral prospects. This development follows a period of rapid growth and some electoral success under the leadership of Zack Polanski, who attracted members disenchanted with the Labour Party and capitalized on left-wing dissatisfaction with Keir Starmer’s leadership, especially around the Gaza conflict.

Since Polanski’s rise, the party’s membership reportedly quadrupled, drawing support from younger voters and Muslim communities through a focus on Palestine and anti-capitalist rhetoric. However, recent events, including the defeat of Polanski in a London by-election and the adoption of a highly controversial anti-Zionist policy, have dampened the momentum. The new policy, pushed through by a faction known as Greens for Palestine—some of whose leaders come from Jeremy Corbyn’s former breakaway party—rejects a two-state solution and calls for the eradication of Israel, a stance criticized even by other Green parties across Europe.

The policy vote exposed internal divisions, with the leadership largely sidelined. Polanski reportedly avoided the vote, while former party leader Caroline Lucas, a prominent critic, faced calls for expulsion after speaking out. The party’s deputy leader, Mothi Ali, supported the motion and aligns with the emerging activist faction now shaping party direction.

This faction’s hardline position echoes dynamics seen previously within Labour under Corbyn, marked by an anti-Western agenda and a focus on Palestine, while showing relative indifference to issues such as the war in Ukraine. Some members have expressed concern over the treatment of Jewish party members following the policy vote, highlighting fears that compromise is viewed as betrayal within the party.

Critics, including Lucas, describe the Greens as “woefully exposed” to entryism, where coordinated groups of activists can influence party policy due to open voting rules at party conferences. The faction Greens Organise, founded partly by a former Corbyn aide, seeks to transform the party further into a left-populist ecosocialist movement. This would place the Greens increasingly in line with far-left parties such as Germany’s Die Linke or France’s La France Insoumise, potentially adopting stances like opposition to NATO.

While the Greens’ shift beyond core environmental concerns could broaden their appeal, some warn it risks diluting their climate agenda amid growing political pressures. Lucas has advocated refocusing on climate policies that address cost-of-living issues, attempting to counteract the drift from environmental priorities.

Polanski’s leadership approach remains a subject of debate. Some argue that the hard left’s strategy, which previously undermined Labour, might similarly drive growth for the smaller Green Party, especially if electoral reforms championed by figures like Andy Burnham come to fruition. Yet, the recent controversies also pose risks that could hinder wider support, particularly if the party becomes associated with accusations of antisemitism or extremism.

Overall, the Green Party of England and Wales appears to be heading towards a more radical and fractious future, departing from the path set by earlier leadership and reshaping its identity within the UK’s evolving political landscape.