With a huge smile on his face and receiving applause that seemed as if it would never stop, Zack Polanski delivered a speech to activists in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the run-up to local elections taking place in the city, as well as neighbouring cities and regions across the North East and nationwide.
The room was alive, the people were loud and Zack commanded an awe-inspiring presence. In a speech to Green Party members and members of the press, Polanski outlined his vision for the future and his hopes for big gains in the upcoming local elections.
Who is Zack Polanski?
Becoming a member in 2017, Zack Polanski was elected as leader of the Green Party of England and Wales in September 2025. Since becoming leader, the Green Party has surged in popularity, with their membership reaching 226,000 at the time of writing.
Polanski describes himself as an eco-populist and holds left-wing views such as nationalisation of water, public transport and other key utilities.
Big ambitions for Newcastle
Addressing activists in Newcastle, Zack spoke of potential big gains to come, hoping that people would “vote Green in record numbers”. Indeed, he has reason to be excited as the Green Party is growing largely in support. They’re consistently outpolling the Liberal Democrats in opinion polls for the next general election and, on numerous occasions, have outpolled Labour. They have come in second place multiple times, too, and even come joint first with Reform and the Conservatives.
But can they turn polling into votes? Short answer, yes. Labour said it couldn’t be done in the Gorton and Denton by-election yet when the votes were counted in the Manchester constituency, Green candidate Hannah Spencer had won and pushed Labour into third place behind Reform.
Not only can this happen in Newcastle, but it is predicted to happen. Pollsters are predicting that the Green Party are going to make major gains in Newcastle in the local elections, if not become the largest party. Having long been a Labour heartland, a result like this will upset the political world in Newcastle as, just like it did in the 2019 general election, Labour’s red wall may well crumble.
Bringing buses into public hands
Speaking alongside Jamie Driscoll, Green candidate for the Monument ward and former North of Tyne Mayor, in Eldon Square, Zack announced policies to see bus services brought back into public hands either through bus companies being owned by the cities they operate in or through franchising systems. He also pledged free bus travel for under 22s.
Labour North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said “I’m delighted to see the Green Party leader come to the North East to announce what Labour are already doing here. I am happy we’re pushing on with my plans to bring buses in the North East back into public control where they belong.”
Zack Polanski, however, said that the government needed to make progress faster.
Currently, Kim’s plans to bring buses in the North East back into public control will not see service run until autumn 2029. An amazing reception, pledges for publicly controlled buses and ambitions for big gains in Newcastle. Zack Polanski has a lot to be excited about and a lot ahead of him in the North East. Could 7 May prove great for the Greens and disastrous for Labour? And, whatever happens, will the people of Newcastle and the wider North East see things improve as a result?
