Greens can move Labour in the right direction, says Polanski

Zack Polanski has called on voters to support the Greens in order to compel Labour to make necessary changes, asserting that his party possesses the ability to steer Labour in the right direction. During his address to the party's annual conference in Brighton, Polanski argued that Greens' persistent pressure had compelled Labour to alter its positions on critical matters, including climate and its stance towards Israel.

He criticized Labour for failing to address housing issues, advocating for a three-year rent cap to restrict private sector price increases. Polanski urged supporters to vote for the Greens, emphasizing that their endorsement would compel Labour to change its course. He highlighted the party's recent surge in membership, electoral successes, and opposition to the Conservatives and Reform UK.

Polanski also criticized Labour's record on the cost of living and vowed that only his party could end "Rip Off Britain." He particularly criticized Labour's record on housing, accusing the party of failing to confront powerful interests of developers and big landlords. Instead, he urged the government to implement an emergency brake on private rents, preventing them from rising above the lowest of consumer price index, wage growth, or 2%, for a period of three years.

Polanski defended the Greens' actions, stating that sustained pressure had forced Burnham to convene an emergency Cobra meeting amid record-breaking temperatures. He promised that the Greens would not hesitate to tax extreme wealth, calling for a windfall tax on back profits, an issue where the government has faced pressure from unions.

Polanski concluded by asserting that while some may question the party's role if the government were already taking necessary actions, his party has held the worst instincts of Labour in check and started moving it in the right direction.