1 October 2022
- Zack Polanski highlights importance of diversity, representation and electoral reform in speech to Harrogate conference
- “There’s only one authentic response to people struggling just to get by and that response is solidarity” – Zack Polanski
The new deputy leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski, has told the party’s conference in Harrogate today that there is no environmental justice without social, racial and economic justice too.
Polanski used his maiden speech to pledge to campaign and speak with – rather than for – those people who don’t have a voice.
He said:
“Representation is important. Diversity is important. It’s massively important that I use this platform to campaign and speak with – rather than for – those people who don’t have that voice. There are so many people who feel unseen, unheard, unrepresented and we as a party can both connect with these people and take their worries and needs and speak truth to power.”
“Ultimately there’s only one authentic response to people struggling just to get by and in the Green Party we know that response is solidarity.”
Polanski also drew attention to “our broken voting system” as one of the key barriers to representation and urged Labour leader Keir Starmer to listen to his members on electoral reform:
“We have a broken voting system that means people are not represented properly in decisions made on everything from policing, transport to the NHS. We also know that if we want grown up politics; grown up collaborations that work in people’s best interests, then we need Proportional Representation. We’re delighted that Labour members, and unions, have backed Proportional Representation in overwhelming numbers. But Keir is saying no: no to fair votes. So let me say to Keir Starmer – listen to your members.”
Zack Polanski also praised his predecessor Amelia Womack, noting how her dedicated service has resulted in the huge growth of Green Party councillors during her eight years in post.
ENDS
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