Zack Polanski: The Eco-Populist Who Shakes It Up
Imagine a young guy—like me—who loves the planet, hates unfairness, and wants everyone to have a fair chance. That’s Zack Polanski. He's the new leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, and he’s got big dreams and a wild journey behind him.
From Drama School to City Hall
Zack wasn’t always in politics. He went to drama school—first in Wales and then even in the U.S.! He acted in theatre and an immersive show in the Tower of London. He also worked odd jobs: youth worker, mental health counselor, hospitality staff, and even as a property guardian—someone who lives in an empty building to keep it safe in return for cheap rent WikipediaThe Standard+1.
Changing Names, Finding Identity
He was born David Paulden, but at 18 he changed his name to Zack Polanski—to match his Jewish grandfather’s original surname. He said he wanted to feel proud of who he is Wikipedia.
He’s gay, vegan, and lives in Hackney, East London. Growing up, Zack saw unfairness all around—inequality, racism, homophobia—and it pushed him toward politics Sky NewsThe Standard.
Joining the Greens and Going Big
He first joined the Liberal Democrats, but in 2017 he switched to the Green Party. In 2021, he was elected as a London Assembly Member, speaking out for things like universal basic income, better housing, creative jobs, and animal welfare WikipediaLondon City Hall GreensLondon City Hall.
By 2022, Zack had climbed up to become the Deputy Leader of the Greens Wikipedia+1. He pushed for combining fighting climate change with real help for people—like fixing homes, supporting workers, and cutting rich people's power The Guardianvote.zackpolanski.com.
The Big Win: Leader of the Green Party
On September 2, 2025, Zack won the leadership race in a landslide—with 85% of votes—becoming the sole head of the party The TimesFinancial TimesThe Jewish ChronicleSky NewsThe GuardianWikipedia.
He calls his style “eco-populism”, meaning he wants the Greens to be about the environment and real everyday struggles—housing, inequality, jobs The TimesThe Guardian+1Sky News.
In his speech, he said climate justice, nationalizing water, protecting migrants and minorities are his priorities. And he didn’t just want to join politics—he wants to replace Labour! The GuardianFinancial TimesThe Standard.
Bold, Loud, and Maybe Controversial
He’s unlike the usual quiet politicians. He learned to grab attention—like the campaign video for his leadership #BackZack got 1.5 million views on X (formerly Twitter) The StandardThe Irish News.
He’s not shy about being bold. When asked about his past as a hypnotherapist (he once said he could help increase breast size with mind power), he apologized and said people misunderstood him WikipediaSky News.
Some Greens worry his radical style and focus on cities could push away rural or cautious voters—but Zack thinks fighting for the planet means fighting for fairness too The TimesThe Guardian+1.
Why His Story Matters to Us
For kids like me, Zack Polanski is like seeing a superhero not just in a comic—but in real life. He shows us that we can fight for what matters—like the Earth, people, and fairness—while being ourselves and pushing boundaries. You don’t have to just care about one thing. You can care about the planet, communities, and justice —all at once.
He isn’t just another politician. He’s a storyteller, a campaigner, and someone willing to shake the system. If he can make people pay attention and want change, maybe other young people like me can dream big too.
So whenever you hear the name Zack Polanski, remember: behind it’s a guy who went from drama to council to leading a party—all because he believes that being bold and human can change the game.
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