# Polanski's approval hits record low after Zionism row

> The Green Party leader faces his lowest popularity ratings and calls to resign following party splits and electoral defeat.
- Title: Polanski's approval hits record low after Zionism row
- Summary: The Green Party leader faces his lowest popularity ratings and calls to resign following party splits and electoral defeat. Green Party leader Zack…
- Keywords: zack polanski, green party, approval ratings, zionism motion, holborn and st pancras by-election, vivien lichtenstein, caroline lucas, politics, news, Polanski's, approval, hits
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/zack-polanski-polls-green-zionism-motion-b3068706.html
- Published: 2026-10-18T08:06:58+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: zack polanski, green party, approval ratings, zionism motion, holborn and st pancras by-election, vivien lichtenstein, caroline lucas, politics, news
## Polanski hits record low
Green Party leader Zack Polanski now has the lowest popularity of any national leader, with his overall rating falling to minus thirty-six following party splits and controversy.
## October poll shows sharp decline
An Ipsos survey in October found fifty-two percent of the public held an unfavourable view of Polanski, a six point rise since September. Just sixteen percent viewed him positively.
## The Zionism motion divides party
The Green Party conference in Brighton backed a motion describing Zionism as racism. About one thousand members voted in favour and some eight hundred against, sparking internal criticism.

> Zionism is racism
## Senior figures call for his resignation
Vivien Lichtenstein, leader of the Jewish Greens, called for Polanski to resign, saying he made a big mistake by missing a debate about the motion. Former leader Caroline Lucas accused him of leadership failure.

> big mistake
## Defeat in Holborn and St Pancras
Just days after the conference decision, Polanski suffered a further setback when he was defeated at the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, compounding pressure on his leadership.
## Burnham emerges as left-wing alternative
Andy Burnham remained the only senior UK politician with an overall positive favourability score.Ipsos director Keiran Pedley said Burnham appears to be in the ascendancy for the battle for hearts and minds on the left.
## Key takeaway

Green Party leader Zack Polanski's approval rating fell to minus thirty-six, the lowest of any UK national leader, after his party backed a motion calling Zionism racism and he lost a by-election.