This is up six points since September, and it is the first time more than half the population has expressed a negative opinion of the London Assembly member.

Just 16 per cent said they had a positive view of Mr Polanski, and his overall rating has fallen to minus 36, the lowest rating of any national party leader.

The poll suggested that much of the opposition to Mr Polanski is concentrated among older Britons.

However, he has also lost ground among under-35s, falling from a net score of plus 16 in April to just plus two.

His support among people who voted Labour in 2024 has also plummeted, from a net favourability of plus seven in April to minus 24 in October.

Keiran Pedley, UK director of politics at Ipsos, said the public had noticed that it had been a “bruising month” for the London Assembly member.

Mr Polanski has faced both internal and external criticism of his leadership after the Green Party conference in Brighton backed a motion describing Zionism as “racism” in a vote he did not take part in.

The decision has led the leader of the Jewish Greens, Vivien Lichtenstein, to call for Mr Polanski to resign and said she is considering leaving the party.

Labour has also issued an ultimatum to local Green groups it is currently in coalition with, telling them to disown the motion or lose the party’s support.

Just days after the conference decision, Mr Polanski suffered another setback when he was defeated in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election by Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali.

The Ipsos poll, conducted in the immediate wake of that by-election, found Andy Burnham remained the only senior UK politician with an overall positive favourability score.

The Prime Minister enjoys a net favourability score of plus eight, while Kemi Badenoch’s score is minus 12 and Sir Ed Davey’s is minus 15.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s overall score is minus 31, with some 56 per cent of people saying they have an unfavourable view of him.

Mr Pedley added: “Andy Burnham appears to be in the ascendancy for the battle for hearts and minds on the left, with 2024 Green voters almost as positive towards him as the leader of the Green Party itself.”

The Ipsos poll surveyed 2,257 British adults online between October 9 and 13.

The same Ipsos poll shows 35 per cent of voters now see the Tories as the main challenger to Mr Burnham’s Labour, while just 32 per cent choose Reform UK.

It is the first time Mrs Badenoch’s party has led on this measure since the pollster began tracking the question in May last year.

Mr Pedley said: “These findings reflect a political environment that continues to be in flux following Andy Burnham’s arrival as Prime Minister and recent struggles for Reform UK.

“The Burnham bounce looks real, with the public more likely to see Labour as being at least the largest party after the next general election compared to a month ago.

“Meanwhile, in the battle for hearts and minds on the right, the Conservatives continue to make progress.

“Time will tell if this leads to a decisive shift in voter preferences in their direction or if this is merely a low ebb for Reform UK that they recover from.”

Zack Polanski Hits New Political Low as Green Party Faces a Bruising Month

Zack Polanski and the Green Party are facing renewed questions about their political standing following reports that the party leader has suffered his lowest-ever poll rating after a difficult month. The reported decline comes at a time when the Greens are seeking to broaden their appeal, attract disillusioned voters and establish themselves as a more influential force in British politics.

For Polanski, the challenge is not simply to maintain support among people who already agree with the party’s environmental and social policies. He must also persuade a wider electorate that the Greens can address the everyday concerns of households struggling with the cost of living, pressure on public services, housing shortages and uncertainty about Britain’s economic future.

A disappointing poll rating can create difficulties for any political leader, particularly when expectations have been rising. However, one survey does not necessarily establish a lasting change in public opinion. The significance of the reported result depends on the polling organisation, the question asked, the size and composition of the sample, and how the findings compare with earlier measurements.

Nevertheless, the reported setback provides an opportunity to examine the pressures facing Polanski and the strategic choices confronting the Green Party as it attempts to turn growing public interest into sustained electoral support.

A Difficult Period for the Green Party

Political parties rarely experience uninterrupted progress. A period of favourable publicity can quickly be followed by criticism over policy proposals, controversial statements, internal disagreements or questions about leadership.

For the Greens, the difficulty is particularly pronounced because the party seeks to appeal to voters with a broad range of priorities. Environmental protection remains central to its identity, but its platform also addresses economic inequality, public services, housing, transport and social policy.

These issues can attract different groups of voters for different reasons. Some supporters prioritise climate change and renewable energy, while others are more concerned about wealth inequality, public spending or the treatment of vulnerable communities.

Maintaining a coalition of these voters requires careful communication. A proposal that energises one section of the party’s support may raise concerns among another. Likewise, a forceful statement designed to attract media attention can generate publicity while leaving voters uncertain about the practical details of the policy.

A difficult month can therefore expose weaknesses that were less visible when political attention was focused on the party’s successes. The important question is whether the Greens can respond by clarifying their priorities and demonstrating that their policies can be implemented in practice.

The Poll Numbers Behind the Setback

The figures reported in October 2026 suggest that Polanski’s personal popularity has weakened considerably. An Ipsos survey conducted between 9 and 13 October among 2,257 British adults found that 52 per cent held an unfavourable view of him, compared with 16 per cent who viewed him favourably. His net favourability rating fell to minus 36, the lowest among the national party leaders measured in the survey. <Cite refs={[“turn285003search1″,”turn285003search4”]}/>

The findings also point to a challenge among younger voters, a group that has been important to the Greens’ efforts to expand their support. Polanski’s net rating among under-35s reportedly fell from plus 16 in April to plus two in October. Among people who voted Labour in 2024, his rating shifted from plus seven to minus 24 over the same period. <Cite refs={[“turn285003search0″,”turn285003search5”]}/>

These numbers do not mean every Green supporter has abandoned the party, nor do they establish how people will vote at the next general election. Personal favourability and voting intention measure different things. A voter might dislike a party leader but continue supporting the party’s policies, while another might approve of a leader without intending to vote for them.

Nevertheless, the results indicate that Polanski faces a substantial challenge in persuading people outside his core support that he can represent their concerns.

The Controversy Over Zionism

One of the most significant sources of criticism has been the Green Party conference’s adoption of a motion describing Zionism as racism.

The motion has provoked strong reactions both inside and outside the party. Critics, including Jewish campaigners and some Green members, have argued that the wording risks treating Jewish national identity and aspirations for self-determination as inherently illegitimate. Other supporters of the party’s position frame their opposition to Zionism around Palestinian rights, the treatment of Palestinians and criticism of Israeli government policy.

These questions are politically and historically sensitive, and the different concepts should not be conflated. Criticism of Israeli government actions is not automatically antisemitic, while language or policies that deny Jewish people rights afforded to others can raise legitimate concerns about discrimination.

Polanski’s position has also attracted scrutiny because he did not take part in the vote on the conference motion. He subsequently indicated that he would have supported an amended version rather than the wording that was adopted. The episode has generated questions about his leadership and his ability to manage disagreement within his party. <Cite refs={[“turn285003search1″,”turn285003news11”]}/>

The political consequences have extended beyond public criticism. Labour has threatened to end power-sharing arrangements with Green groups that do not reject the motion, creating additional pressure on local representatives who must decide how to respond. <Cite refs={[“turn285003news8″,”turn285003news10”]}/>

For Polanski, the challenge is to address concerns about antisemitism and political language while explaining the party’s position on Palestinian rights and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Simply repeating existing arguments may not be enough to restore confidence among voters who want a clearer account of what the party believes and how its policies would be applied.

The By-Election Defeat Adds to the Pressure

The Greens have also suffered a setback in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, where Polanski stood as a candidate but failed to win a seat in the House of Commons.

Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali won the contest with 12,292 votes, or 45 per cent, while Polanski finished second with 8,928 votes, representing 33 per cent. <Cite refs={[“turn285003search1″,”turn285003news10”]}/>

The result was significant because the Greens had sought to build momentum in a contest associated with former prime minister Keir Starmer’s constituency. A victory would have given Polanski a parliamentary platform and strengthened his ability to challenge Labour directly in the Commons.

Instead, the defeat left him continuing to lead the party from outside Parliament. That is not an automatic barrier to effective leadership, but it does create practical and political disadvantages. Party leaders who are MPs can question ministers directly, participate in Commons debates and receive regular parliamentary exposure.

The result also raised questions about the Greens’ strategy. The party has attempted to attract voters dissatisfied with Labour, particularly on housing, public services, inequality and the government’s approach to international affairs. Yet an unsuccessful by-election campaign can expose the difficulty of converting enthusiasm among activists into enough votes to win a constituency.

The defeat does not erase the Greens’ achievements elsewhere, but it has arrived at an uncomfortable time for a leader whose popularity is already under pressure.

Can the Greens Recover Their Momentum?

Despite the negative headlines, the Green Party retains a political identity that appeals to voters concerned about climate change, environmental protection and social inequality.

Its prospects will depend partly on whether it can communicate those priorities clearly while responding to controversies that have distracted attention from its wider programme.

Housing affordability could provide an important opportunity. Younger voters facing high rents and difficulty buying a home may be interested in policies that expand affordable housing and improve tenants’ protections. Environmental investment, public transport and the cost of household energy could also appeal to voters who want practical improvements to their living standards.

However, the party must demonstrate how its proposals would be funded, how they would be implemented and what trade-offs might be involved. Voters are unlikely to judge a political programme solely by the ambition of its promises.

The Greens also need to manage internal disagreements. A party that seeks to challenge established political institutions must still establish clear processes for deciding policy and handling disputes. When disagreements become prolonged public controversies, they can overshadow other work and make it harder for voters to understand the party’s priorities.

For Polanski, rebuilding confidence may require more than a change in communication. It may involve demonstrating that he can unite different sections of the party, respond consistently to difficult questions and maintain focus on the issues that initially attracted supporters.

Labour Could Benefit From Green Party Difficulties

The Greens’ troubles may create opportunities for Labour, particularly among progressive voters who are dissatisfied with the government but uncertain about switching to another party.

The Ipsos findings suggest that Polanski’s standing among people who supported Labour in 2024 has deteriorated. The same survey found Andy Burnham to be the only senior political leader measured with a positive overall net favourability rating. <Cite refs={[“turn285003search1″,”turn285003search4”]}/>

That could make it harder for the Greens to position themselves as the principal alternative for voters on the left. If Labour can persuade former Green supporters that it is addressing their concerns, it may limit the Greens’ ability to expand further.

However, a decline in Polanski’s personal popularity does not automatically guarantee that Labour will win back those voters. Their decisions may depend on local candidates, specific policy issues and their assessment of the government’s performance.

The Greens could also retain support from voters who regard the party’s policies as more closely aligned with their views, regardless of the leader’s ratings. Electoral competition is shaped by more than one poll or one controversy.

For both parties, the longer-term question is whether they can demonstrate that their proposals offer credible answers to the problems voters face.

One Poll Does Not Decide a Political Future

It would be premature to treat Polanski’s current rating as proof that his leadership is doomed. Polling provides a snapshot of opinion at a particular moment, and attitudes can change as political circumstances evolve.

The survey was conducted during a period of intense controversy and immediately after the by-election defeat. Its results may therefore reflect reactions to specific events rather than a permanent reassessment of the Greens or their leader.

Further polling would help establish whether the decline continues, stabilises or reverses. It would also be useful to distinguish between changes in personal favourability and changes in voting intention, since the two do not always move together.

The party’s future will depend on its response. If it addresses concerns effectively and returns attention to policies that voters consider relevant, it may be able to recover some lost ground. If controversy continues to dominate its public image, it could struggle to persuade undecided voters that it is ready for greater political responsibility.

Conclusion

Zack Polanski’s reported record-low poll rating marks a difficult moment for the Green Party. The combination of controversy over the party conference motion, criticism from within its own ranks and defeat in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election has placed his leadership under greater scrutiny.

The Ipsos figures provide evidence of a serious decline in his personal favourability, including among younger people and former Labour voters. Yet they do not, on their own, determine the Greens’ future electoral performance.

Polanski now faces the task of rebuilding confidence, explaining contentious policy positions and demonstrating that the party can focus on the economic and social concerns that matter to voters.

For the Greens, the challenge is to ensure that internal disputes do not eclipse their wider political programme. For their opponents, the moment offers an opportunity to compete for voters who may be reconsidering their options.

Ultimately, the lasting impact of this difficult period will depend on what happens next. A low poll rating can be a warning, but whether it becomes a turning point will depend on the decisions Polanski and his party make in the weeks and months ahead.