Reform UK has hit back at claims by the Green Party’s newly elected leader that Nigel Farage is not a patriot.
Eco-populist Zack Polanski accused the Brexit architect of “hating” his country and selling out “to oil and gas companies and arms companies” moments after winning a leadership race on Tuesday.
A Reform spokesman said: “It seems Mr Polanski needs a refresher on what patriotism looks like. This is a guy who was elected as leader with only a third of his party turning out to vote.
“Reform continues to serve as the only party in the country that defends British values and ideals, protects free speech, and puts the interests of the taxpayer first. That is what patriotism looks like.”
The Greens unveiled their new leader in central London, alongside an announcement that they had a record number of members at 64,681.
Mr Polanski stormed to a huge win with more than 80% of the vote, raking in 20,411, leaving two MP running mates Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay languishing behind on 3,705.
Speaking to a crowd of cheering supporters, the new party leader said: “We just have to have a common cause. I will work every single day to grow this party.
“This is the Green Party’s time. People in this country are exhausted, they are tired. They are sick of working long hours and never feeling secure. They see how broken the old two party system is.”
He took the opportunity to savage Keir Starmer’s Labour, adding: “My message to Labour is very clear, we are not here to be disappointed by you, we are not here to be concerned by you, we are here to replace you.”
Mr Polanski, who has been a London Assembly member since 2021, branded Reform UK, which is consistently polling at more than Labour and the Conservatives combined, as “charlatans” saying they were “backed by billionaires that are destroying our democracy, our communities and our planet. We are ready to take the fight to Reform. Migrants are the backbone of this country. Our communities will always stand together.”
Election rivals, Ms Chowns and Mr Ramsay offered their congratulations to Mr Polanski.
They said: “Our party is in the strongest position in its history. We’re winning record numbers of seats and showing that Green politics is rooted in the issues that truly matter. Together with Zack and deputy leaders Rachel Millward and Mothin Ali, we will continue to build on the extraordinary progress the Green Party has made.”
But Conservative leader in the UK capital, Susan Hall, mocked the Green leader saying: “It’s a shame Zack Polanski is anti-monarchy because his leadership win has been one of the most organised coronations in recent history. We hope his work at the Assembly won’t be too impacted by the national protest platform he has suddenly found himself on.”
Meanwhile the Liberal Democrat’s Hina Bokari said: “We congratulate Zack and wish him well. The last former Lib Dem to become leader of another party was Liz Truss but I’m sure his time will be longer than her 49 days.”
