I Met Zack Polanski...

It didn’t take long for the room to start filling. A couple (Vita and Harry) came and asked if they could sit beside us and we soon got chatting. Vita shared she was a doctor and had been a party member for a few years, whilst her husband Harry was a “newbie”... like us. We discussed our submitted questions and how much the membership had started to soar since Zack became the leader. A chap came up and spoke to Vita about a previous meet up, and then introduced himself to us as Martin, and a founding member of the Darlington Greens. He was a gentle character with his Green Jumper and soft Palestinian Keffiyeh in muted green tones. It felt comforting to be in an environment where my “Free Palestine” beliefs would never be challenged.

A decade of Darlington Greens

The event started with a warm welcome and a presentation by Martin on how far Darlington Greens had come since they started in the locality 10 years ago. There was a true sense of pride and an even bigger sense of hope for the future. I suspect the surge in membership, reported to be around five new members a day in Darlington, has injected some energy and excitement within the members. What I did see as I looked around was kindness, warmth, respect and a lot of inclusivity. All ages, races, religions - those with disabilities, those super fit and healthy, gay, straight and whatever you fancy, introverts and extraverts, rich or poor, everyone felt like they belonged and it was liberating.  

Before long Zack was welcomed into the room to a standing ovation of whistles and cheers. The energy in the room was palpable. Zack gave his opening speech, never missing a beat of course. He kept everyone’s interest, threw in some warm humour and perhaps “hypnotised” his audience (sorry, I couldn’t resist that one!).  There is no doubt in my mind Zack Polanski is made to perform well under the spotlight. His theatre training is obvious, but he thankfully refrains from adding unnecessary drama to his public speaking.  

Game for a photo op?

In the interval (before the public meeting) there was an opportunity for a group photo. We helped pass around huge Vote Green placards and all stood in front of the stage with Zack and the Darlington Party. I felt conflicted like a nervous outcomer and yet part of a tribe. 

Noah was desperate to meet Zack – who had already acknowledged him as a sixth former whilst talking about young people being more articulate than many grown adults in politics. I think the feeling was mutual, as Zack warmly welcomed Noah who had beelined for him at the first opportunity.  I hit record on my phone, not because this was Zack Polanski, but because this was another of my son’s moments of success. 

Yet again, I was witnessing how Noah goes after what he wants and gets it. This kid is honestly inspirational. He writes, co-produces and performs his own music (find him on streaming services: noah ajc). He’s ADHD with probably a touch of the ’tism, a gay young man who was home-educated from age 13 due to a failing education system. Despite that he’s pushed down the barriers in life to now be doing his A Levels at sixth form, and he was the one who inspired me to join the Green Party.

I want better for my kids and it’s my duty to do my best to get them the best chances in life. The only way I can see this happening is for us to turn on our heels, collapse the past 40 plus years of neo-liberalism and create a country that works for everyone, not just those who are privileged enough to reap the upper class benefits. 

Noah chatted to Zack briefly, had his photo taken, and Zack was more than happy to have a photo with me – “mum” looking tired and overstimulated, but clinging on to hope. 

Brain Fail.

Of course at that moment I lost my ability to string a sentence together. All I could say was, “You’re doing really well.” whilst awkwardly patting his back like a mother hen as we had the photo taken. It was my “I carried a watermelon” moment. 

I had to explain the saying to Noah on the drive home. Of all the things I could’ve said or questions I could have asked, I just kind of stalled. However, I did get my question read out, albeit anonymously and he took a good five minutes in answering it. 

And that’s the attraction point with Zack. He doesn’t bullshit the way politicians do. None of this starting a sentence with “Look…” then spewing a load of waffly buzzwords or jargon that dance around the answer and provide nothing but wasted breath and audience frustration.

Zack Polanski says it how it is and backs up his answers – and that’s the refreshing twist we desperately need in British politics.

Hopeful Realism?

He’s a hopeful realist in many ways. He believes everyone deserves to live a life that isn’t infested with poverty, inequality, racism, war or environmental threat, and who the fuck wouldn’t want that?

Oh hold on…How stupid of me to presume everyone wants “the good life”. These days it seems wanting the reality of a safe, secure, peaceful planet where everyone just gets on and isn’t fighting to survive day to day is labelled as “dangerous”. I’m so exhausted with the current state of the country. Every system is broken and is crumbling whilst Labour attempts to fix decades of structural damage by wallpapering over the gaping holes and hoping for the best, rather than investing in completely rebuilding what no longer serves us. 

Zack Polanski is hopeful but realistic in his bid to win over the country. He isn’t shouting about becoming the next Prime Minister, he’s more concerned about getting as many Green MP’s on Green benches in the House of Commons as he can. It’s a more grounded and sensible approach, unlike Farage who I reckon is manifesting sparking up a Benson & Hedges at the dispatch box whilst holding a pint of bitter and laughing loudly as he winks into the camera – then destroys the country with his policies that lack financial credibility and are far to close to a dystopian novel. 

However, should this new wave of left-wing populism continue to rip through the country,  I dare to hope Zack Polanski may be underestimating the next job title for his CV. 

A Rocky Political Landscape

Labour could attempt to sit tight until August 2029 (the latest they can call a general election), and that feels like a long way from now. We know anything could happen before then.  Meanwhile the propaganda towards a Reform government being saviour of our futures has seen them in the lead in the voting intention polls, however it would be unlikely to be enough to form a government and that would leave us in a coalition again. Something that Zack Polanski has stated would be a hard “No” with reform, or perhaps more appropriately a big “Go fuck yourselves”.  

Those with any common sense only have to pick up a copy of a Reform Manifesto to realise it’s a load of old fascist drivel, and the current state of affairs with reform council leaders and racist MP’s won’t be helping them. I have noticed a huge increase in Bots on social media though pushing the racist agenda - Someone has thrown some money towards bigging them up in the light of the lefty uprising. 

The by-elections in May 2026 will be the first test. All of the London borough council seats are up for grabs, and a significant rise in Green councillors would put a rocket up the arse of many of the other political parties. With the “Green Surge” in full swing, could this be the start of hope returning to our streets?

Dare we believe it?

Older generations  will typically lean to Reform or Conservative - obviously being more aligned with their policies - much easier to do when you have either been poorly educated or have had your cake and eaten it. Personally I think those that way inclined, to be against immigration and helping those less fortunate should consider who exactly will be caring for them in their care homes… perhaps nobody if the status quo continues.

The young will back Zack.

It’s Zack who is appealing to the young – perhaps he is replacing the hope that Jeremy Corbyn once evoked. I wonder if by summertime we’ll be hearing Zack Polanski’s name chanted at every music festival?

Younger generations are the ones being heavily hit with the current social mess. Thousands of pounds of debt to attend Uni, an employment market that expects 5 years of experience in low paid starter roles, the housing crisis, an NHS on the brink of collapse, and a plant being polluted by unnecessary waste and filthy air and water. They are right to be angry and they should be demanding change.

I’ve heard some pessimistic mutterings about the Greens suddenly adopting loads of previous Labour Party members. Let’s face it, many lefties will be feeling disillusioned with current Labour policies. Zack hit the nail on the head when he said Labour Party members vote on issues and Keir Starmer overrides them. This is not a democratic system and Labour party members will deflect in droves if this approach continues.

The people who put him there have been shat on from the heady heights of senior government. The cabinet are toxic, and even those we thought were decent seem to have traded their moral compass as part of some backroom deal. Where left labour voters felt they had finally dared to believe a better life was in the making, they have been truly screwed over.

Final Thoughts…

So, what did I really get from meeting Zack Polanski on a cold, wet Friday evening in Darlo?

Well, apart from the photo with him and my Darlington Green Party 10th Anniversary badge, what I did get is a renewed feeling of hope for a better future.

Zack didn’t focus on London, he didn’t shy away from who he is as a man. He was inclusive, warm, friendly and humble. He was the epitome of kindness and a guy who shared his opinions without a hint of inflated self-importance. He’s knowledgeable and his public speaking ability is second to none – holding the attention of the room rather than spouting pompous, political parlance we’ve become accustomed to. He didn’t flinch, but at the same time remained real and reassuringly imperfect.

Zack encouraged people to take a role in the party, from helping out, door knocking or leaflet posting, to organising local activities and being part of a community that cares. His key inclusion point was empowering people to consider running for council seats themselves and challenging the internal dialogue about not being capable of being involved in local politics. The truth is, if you care about your community and your country, the rest can be learnt.

Flooding every locality with a Green option on the ballot paper is ultimately the key to the door. My own South Tees Green Party appears to be needing some help to raise it’s own profile and I am hoping I can find a way to overcome my own imposter syndrome and support the cause. 

Whilst I don’t agree with every policy the Green Party have, I do agree with most or at least variants of most, and as a party member I will be able to have a say in creating a strong manifesto for the general election.

There will never be a perfect party because there’s no such thing as a perfect person, but from what I can see, Zack Polanski’s approach is bringing something to the table that is the polar opposite of what we’ve been served for the past 40 years, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll finally stop forcing down “Same Old Bollocks” Pie like it’s the only item on the menu

So yeah, I think I’ve become a “Zacktivist” - Pass me a T-shirt…I’m in.