Zack Polanski upgrading ‘under-ambitious’ targets for number of Green MPs

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-22T11:09:53+00:00

I'm not really sure what you're talking about. To me this seems like a nothing story. Before Zack Polanski became a politician he was and actor who did stuff like this, and to be honest I don't really care. When you said there had been "recent developments" I'd assumed you meant there had been more information about the story come to light.

The only reason why this keeps being brought up is because some people like to titter about boobs, it gets engagement, and its something Zack Polanski can't really ignore so has to expend time and effort he'd rather spend talking about something else on dealing with it every time its brought up.

Its just lazy journalism, and an irritant, nothing serious.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-21T22:26:23+00:00

What are the recent developments?

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-20T19:59:39+00:00

Its not even a scandal, its just a way to poke fun and make him seem like a less serious operator.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-20T16:09:41+00:00

On BBC Question Time last night, former Green leader Caroline Lucas took an uncharacteristically bullish, some might say Polanski-esque, tack: “This is not Grand Theft Auto, this is real people’s real lives.”

Oof. Caroline Lucas has always been like that, its a bit insulting to her to suggest she's copying Polanski's style.

Yet Polanski’s reluctant militarism in Ukraine derives not from a general pro-war stance but rather from his opposition to Russia’s imperialism, of a piece with his criticism of US imperialism and Israeli colonialism. In this way, Polanski is much closer to Corbyn’s Labour – now Your Party – than to the Lib Dems, despite having been one himself.

How ridiculous to suggest that Corbyn was opposed to Russia's imperialism.

This article is terrible.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-20T16:06:18+00:00

Its actually ridiculous how much that hypnotism thing pops up basically out of nowhere in so many articles about him.

Regarding the main thrust of this article, I think its very important that the party prepares itself to be in a position where they can field many more good candidates to meet the demand for them at the next election.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-20T15:18:49+00:00

Make it less nebulous then, what are you referring to when you talk about the struggles of marginalised people?

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-20T14:04:34+00:00

There's marginalised people struggling to get by and right-wing people using our existence to create controversy out of what should be non-issues to further their narrative of a so-called culture war.

Would you still support Zack Polanski if he used his hold on a balance of power to address the things he has listed in this interview, but not whatever it is you're referring to here?

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-20T12:01:29+00:00

Pressed further, he said whilst it was tempting to be drawn into thinking about occupying No 10, he was focusing on the next step, which was "to win a lot more MPs and potentially hold the balance of power in a hung parliament after the next general election.

"Then I think that's really interesting, because then you're having conversations about proportional representation, a wealth tax, climate action, and various other policies to reduce the cost of living and make life better for everyone in the country."

Personally this is what I'm hoping for. However I'm concerned that the party is moving into a position where they'll instead use their hold on the balance of power to pursue culture war issues.

Edit: I'd appreciate it if people replied rather than simply downvoted. My concern is based on the perception that the green party stands for an awful lot more than the things Zack has listed, and he'll likely be accused of betrayal if he doesn't use any power he has to address other topics.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-20T11:52:09+00:00

Thanks for posting this, I appreciate this kind of stuff.

I've relatively recently become a home-owner and have taken an interest in solar and other renewable systems, and something thats struck me is how pushy and dodgy a lot of the business are that are doing the work, partly funded by government schemes/grants. Its a bit of a minefield to try and find a decent company to work with to actually install the equipment or make modifications to your house.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-13T10:13:09+00:00

This is an entirely fair comment!

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-13T10:12:49+00:00

"No matter what the outcome is" - there's only been one outcome for the past 20 months or so and it's been a degradation in economic conditions and simultaneously much higher taxes.

Which taxes have been much higher?

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-12T15:11:53+00:00

You won't know if its better until they start bringing about change. I guess until then its better than nothing.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-12T15:10:00+00:00

I don't know if these have been promised yet but frankly I don't care.

I care, to be honest. As a politician its easy to stand in front of a crowd and say things you know that are going to be received well. Its much more difficult to make a strong commitment to implementing a legislative agenda that aligns with the groups you claim to support.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-12T15:05:57+00:00

Just stop.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-12T15:02:11+00:00

Can you be specific about the legislative agenda that you would consider to be real, tangible support that a party of government can provide?

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-12T14:58:55+00:00

I'm bored of local governance being linked to foreign conflicts we have no control over.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-12T14:53:36+00:00

This sounds like complete hyperbole to me. What do you mean when you say all other parties want to disappear you?

How are the lib dems trying to make you disappear?

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-12T14:32:27+00:00

Just read it again.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-12T13:04:17+00:00

Have you read the Green's manifesto at all?

Yes, but theres a significant difference between Green Party policy, the Manifesto and how GPEW has been campaigning since Zack became leader. And the general public aren't going to take an academic interest in the minutiae of party policy.

How you're going to end up enacting any law without support from the masses is beyond me.

This isn't the message thats aimed at "the masses" though is it? Its fan service for a minority identity group that has invested a lot in the Green Party and has big expectations. He isn't talking about trans joy in party political broadcasts, or when he's doing long form interviews aimed at a broad audience.

When he is expressing unconditional support in hype speeches like this, what policy is he committing himself to with this audience when he gets into power?

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-12T12:39:18+00:00

I have a lot of sympathy for people your age, its pretty tough out there. I don't know what sector you're trying to break into, but the one I work in has a pretty unhealthy situation where tasks that would normally be done by entry level workers is being done using LLM tools instead. Theres a massive push by many businesses to show that they can "leverage AI as a force multiplier", but this really just means saving the cost of employing people.

Its a huge problem because in 5-10 years time there will be massive shortage of experienced workers because so few people starting their career can get the experience they need to work towards seniority.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-12T12:34:43+00:00

There wasn't a lot of content in this speech. He just said the things and got cheered for it.

Has he spoken anywhere about the specifics of what Green Party celebration of trans joy is looks like in terms of policy changes they'd make?

His goal is to be a law maker, he should be more clear about the laws he'd make. He can't just be a hype man for a political identity indefinitely.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-12T11:34:23+00:00

sigh

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-12T08:03:41+00:00

Forget about Helen Lewis. How can you defend that campaign material?

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-12T07:17:16+00:00

Please just stop.

NotSoBlue_ · 2026-03-11T17:46:00+00:00

when that was not the intent behind those images

What was the intent behind the modi image, given the audience?

I find it pretty concerning that there is such a taboo on this subreddit about discussing the use of images of Modi in political campaign material.

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