Key facts
- The Green Party is preparing to counter the electoral gains of the Labour Party under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- Recent opinion polls indicate a surge in Labour's support, with a corresponding drop in the Green Party's standing.
- The Greens plan to sharpen their attack lines and communication strategy, focusing on policy differences with Labour.
- Key areas of contention include the approach to the Gaza conflict, immigration policies, and public ownership rhetoric.
- The Green Party aims to improve its digital communication and develop a broader roster of spokespeople.
Britain's Green Party is strategizing to counter the electoral resurgence of the Labour Party under its new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. Following significant local election victories in May, which capitalized on declining Labour support under the previous leadership, the Greens now face a challenge as Burnham's charismatic leadership has propelled Labour back to the forefront in opinion polls.
Recent polls indicate Labour's first lead since March 2025, with the Greens experiencing their lowest support levels since Zack Polanski became leader. Despite Polanski's insistence that he is not worried about Burnham, a senior Green Party politician acknowledged the difficulty and the need to sharpen the party's differentiating messages. The Greens are preparing to attack Burnham's administration for employing corporate lobbyists and question the sincerity of his rhetoric on key issues like Gaza, public ownership, and homelessness, arguing it represents no real change from the previous Labour government.
The Greens aim to draw battle lines on issues such as the conflict in Gaza, where Starmer's initial response led to defections to the Green Party, particularly from Muslim communities. Polanski argues that Burnham's apology and distancing from that response do not go far enough, criticizing the lack of concrete action on ending arms sales to Israel or trade with illegal settlements. Immigration is another key area, with the Greens highlighting Burnham's past support for controversial asylum changes, positioning themselves against what they term 'cruel' policies.
In terms of communication, the Greens acknowledge Burnham's success in digital engagement, which has surpassed their own efforts under Starmer. Burnham is producing more engaging online content, and the Greens feel he has adopted their playbook of offering hope. However, Polanski emphasizes that hope must be accompanied by tangible improvements in cost of living, bills, and wages. The Green Party has seen substantial membership growth, with over 150,000 new members since Polanski took leadership, contrasting with Labour's significant membership decline.
Green strategists are working to build a stronger roster of spokespeople to appear on broadcast media, as some current representatives are less inclined to engage in communications. There is a push to recruit and train individuals who can effectively communicate the party's message. The party also aims to better engage with voters who might otherwise support parties like Reform UK, advocating for a more assertive stance rather than merely aligning with Labour.
The Greens are also leveraging their track record in local government, now controlling over 20 councils, to demonstrate their ability to manage public services. However, this increased elected presence also brings greater scrutiny. The party hopes to retain members who have joined from Labour, emphasizing their distinct political identity compared to the perceived ideological shifts within the Labour Party.