At the Green Party conference in Brighton on 2 October 2026, party leader Zack Polanksi urged supporters to vote Green in order to pressure Labour leader Andy Burnham into adopting stronger policies on housing, climate and wealth taxation, while also addressing an internal debate over a controversial Zionism motion.
Polanski’s Call for Electoral Pressure
He told activists that sustained pressure from the Greens had already shifted Labour’s stance on several issues, pointing to the party’s role in prompting an emergency COBR meeting over record‑breaking heat this summer. He told activists: “Vote Green, and watch Labour move”, and insisted that the party could not rely on Labour to reform itself without external pressure.
Housing Policy and Rent Controls
He criticised Labour for offering slogans without action on the cost of living and accused it of failing to confront powerful developers and big landlords. Polanksi proposed an “emergency brake” on private rents that would stop increases exceeding the lowest of consumer price index inflation, wage growth or 2% for a three‑year period. He said the measure was necessary to end what he called “Rip Off Britain”.
Climate and Energy Stance
Turning to energy, Polanksi warned that this summer’s wildfires should be seen as the “final nail in the coffin for new oil and gas” and urged the government to reject approval of the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields. He reiter
