Since taking the reins of Green Party leadership in the beginning of September, Zack Polanski has enjoyed much success. Membership of the party has swollen to over 180,000, the Greens have come second in the opinion polls for the next UK general election five times and there have been many defections to his party and local by-election victories. Now, a big name in the North East has become the latest to join the fast-growing Green movement.
Who is Jamie Driscoll?
In 2019, Jamie Driscoll was elected as the North of Tyne Mayor under a Labour Party banner, having joined the party in 1985. Jamie has a long history in politics and had a long one within the Labour Party until he left the party in June 2023 with “a heavy heart and deep disappointment”. He since went on to stand as an independent candidate for the role of North East Metro Mayor, a role that was to replace his former role of the North of Tyne Mayor. He came second, polling 28.2% of the vote – 126,652 votes. The election was won by Labour’s candidate Kim McGuinness. Since then, Jamie Driscoll went on to found the Majority movement, a left-wing political alliance aimed at supporting progressive candidates in elections. It is understood that as well as supporting progressive independent candidates, it also supports members of the Green Party with the movement having helped the Greens win a local council by-election in South Jesmond earlier this year.
Jamie joins the Greens
In a statement posted on social media on 17 December, Jamie said “British politics is a mess. Food, energy, housing are all too expensive. Major parties are all flogging the dead horse of trickle down. So, I’m joining the Green Party. There’s serious work to do, but Britain needs an economy that works for workers, for small businesses and future generations. That starts with getting a progressive council elected in Newcastle in May”.
The significance
Jamie Driscoll’s move to the Green Party is not something to be taken lightly in political circles. Jamie, regardless of party support, commands a following in the region and knows how to reach out to the furthest corners of the North East. Now, this following is closely connected to an already surging Green Party which was already making inroads into the North East before Zack Polanski was elected as leader. With Jamie’s following behind him, it’s not unreasonable to suggest that his recruitment into the party will potentially inject the North East Greens with a big boost in support.
Once again, political history is made as a once political heavyweight in the Labour Party in England’s North East has gone on to join the Green Party, after having stood as an independent mayoral candidate and setting up a movement of his own.
