Zack Polanski loses Holborn and St Pancras by-election

Polanski had positioned the by-election as a high-risk, high-reward strategy to boost his party's stalled momentum. However, the outcome suggests the strategy did not pay off, with senior party figures reportedly preparing for questions about Polanski's leadership and the wider party strategy.

Adding to the pressure, former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas declined to explicitly back Polanski's candidacy, stating "Let's see what happens in the next in the coming days and weeks." She also criticized the party's handling of a motion declaring Zionism is racism, a move that has caused a significant rupture within the party.

Despite the by-election defeat and internal criticism, Polanski asserted that he has not lost control of the party, highlighting its substantial membership growth since he took over as leader.