Green Party Claims Policy Influence Amid Tensions Over Zionism Motion

The UK Green Party is making a push to show its influence on Labour policy at its annual conference in Brighton. The party's leader, Zack Polanski, claims that Green electoral pressure has already led to significant changes in government actions, including trade sanctions on West Bank settlements and delayed decisions on new oil and gas drilling.

Polanski used his conference speech to propose capping rent hikes below wage growth and criticized the Bank of England's use of higher interest rates to control inflation, calling them 'blunt tools' that harm mortgage holders. He also noted that inflation driven by shortages cannot be solved by raising interest rates alone.

The conference is taking place during a critical week for Polanski, who is campaigning in the north London by-election as members debate a divisive motion on Zionism. The party faces internal tensions over the motion, which declares Zionism as racism and calls for support for a single Palestinian state. Some members have criticized Polanski for not setting out a clearer position on the issue.