Polanski's Popularity Plummets After Police Chief Row

Green Party leader Zack Polanski's popularity has plummeted, according to new polling, after he clashed publicly with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley. This dramatic drop comes just days before voters head to the polls for critical local elections across the country. The row centres on a social media post by Polanski regarding the Golders Green stabbings.

Mr Polanski's net approval rating has fallen a staggering 14 points, as reported by The Independent, following Sir Mark Rowley's rare public rebuke. The Commissioner criticised Polanski for sharing an "inaccurate" post on X, which alleged officers were "repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head" after he was already incapacitated and tasered during an arrest.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer weighed in, branding Mr Polanski "disgraceful" and asserting he was "not fit to lead any political party." While Mr Polanski did apologise for the initial post, he later told The Independent that the Commissioner's open letter was "not an appropriate way to do politics," adding that "the police should not be above scrutiny."

This controversy, according to data from More in Common, has left Polanski with a net approval rating of minus 27, placing him below figures like Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage. Luke Tryl, UK director at More in Common, stated that the incident "very definitely cut through," suggesting it damaged the Green Party's image of "politics for the good" and made some voters "think twice."

Despite this personal blow to Polanski, the Green Party is still forecast to make significant gains in Thursday's local elections, with particular momentum in London where they aim to challenge Labour's traditional strongholds and potentially take control of boroughs like Hackney.