# Burnham rules out Green Party coalition over antisemitism

> Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Labour will not partner with the Greens while they maintain a policy equating Zionism with racism.
- Title: Burnham rules out Green Party coalition over antisemitism
- Summary: Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Labour will not partner with the Greens while they maintain a policy equating Zionism with racism. Andy Burnham ruled out…
- Keywords: andy burnham, green party, labour, zionism, antisemitism, coalition, zack polanski, electoral reform, politics, news, Burnham, rules
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/andy-burnham-polanski-green-party-deal-pmqs-b3066613.html
- Published: 2026-10-14T13:08:42+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: andy burnham, green party, labour, zionism, antisemitism, coalition, zack polanski, electoral reform, politics, news
## Burnham condemns Green motion
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Labour will have nothing to do with the Green Party's decision to describe Zionism as racism, calling it antisemitic and wrong.

> It is wrong. It is antisemitic, and this side of the House will have nothing to do with it.
## Challenged at prime minister's questions
Conservative MP Dame Harriet Baldwin pressed Burnham to rule out a future deal with the Greens, comparing it to Kemi Badenoch's rejection of Reform UK over racist comments.
## Coalition concerns amid election talk
The issue has become urgent because polls suggest an early general election could produce a centre left coalition. Burnham previously called for electoral reform to a more proportional system.
## Labour figures welcome the stance
Ben Judah, former adviser to David Lammy, said Burnham's statement was hugely welcome. Adam Langleben of Progress called the Green motion the most antisemitic passed by any major European political party.

> The motion is the most antisemitic motion passed by any major political party in Europe, ever.
## Polanski faces criticism over leadership
Green Party leader Zack Polanski was criticised for not voting on the motion because he was fighting the by-election in Holborn and St Pancras, which he lost to Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali.
## Polanski defends distinction between terms
Polanski posted on social media that he is deeply concerned about the cynical blurring of Zionism and Judaism, and that Jewish people must never face prejudice or discrimination.

> As a British Jew, I'm deeply concerned about the cynical blurring of Zionism & Judaism.
## Key takeaway

Andy Burnham ruled out any future Labour coalition with the Green Party over their decision to describe Zionism as racism, responding to pressure from within his own party.