It was two weeks ago when the Green Party won a UK By-Election with a sizeable majority, followed by Reform UK (see here for what I wrote about the election outcome and my thoughts going forward). This was a historical result that consigned Labour (who previously held the seat) and Conservative to third and fourth places respectively. While By Elections tend to attract apathy and protest, this result indicated that the two-party hegemony may be over.

I concluded in my blog on that result: “For me, what the election outcome demonstrates is how divided we are as a country, including a constituency I particularly care about – the Christian one. The solution is not a leftward one and deciding between Labour, Greens or LibDems. Neither is it a rightward one and deciding between Conservative, Reform or the newest kids on the block: Advance or Restore. Sadly, our political system is broken and the best we can do is vote for the best of a bad, or at least tainted, bunch. Without dismissing the need to be politically aware and involved, the only way to avert the disaster that is likely to befall on our unrighteous nation is that it turns to God!”. And now to continue where I left off …

There is little doubt that the Greens continue to be on a roll and in our fractured society they are replacing Labour as the leading party for the populist Left, whilst Reform are replacing Conservative as the leading party for the populist Right (even though, as I have argued, Left and Right are somewhat meaningless terms these days). What is also of interest is that different parties are attracting “Left” and “Right” leaning voters respectively, with Greens appearing to be doing best in attracting Left voters, even more than Reform are with Right voters, and whilst in the driving seat for the Right, there are many, like me, that have reservations under Reform’s present leadership. Many, previously Labour supporters, notably coming from the wing once known as “Momentum” along with seeing how bad Keir Starmer and the Labour leading lights are, are now switching to Green, and with many who were previously Conservative supporters (like Labour dissatisfied with their leaders), are now switching to Reform.   

When recently asked my views on the Greens, especially under its present leadership, I recognised many Green members were people of principle and intellect, even though strongly disagreeing with them, and I feared the prospect of Greens taking over from Labour could be akin to going from the frying pan into the fire, although Reform under Farage was not a prospect I relished either as they had thrown too many under the proverbial bus, substituting populism for principle. While, as things stand, I prefer Restore or Advance although it is still early days, I find that the Lib Dems being led in my view by fools (because it was their chance to seize their opportunity) and I don’t rate any of the other party’s prospects under our present electoral system.  

I recognise the need to do more research to back up why my disdain for the Greens but regarding a leader that can’t define a woman, has a dubious personal history, who is pushing a redistribution of wealth agenda based on poor economics, whose climate emergency ideas are dubious at best, who is sucking up to the more radical Islamists (despite them being anti-gay, anti-feminist etc.), fails to recognise why people like me see my beloved country going to pot with a loss of culture identity and its opening up its borders to all and sundry, are good reasons to begin with for fearing the worst if they ever did get power. I also asked AI for more information:

Me:

“What can you tell me about the leader of the Green Party and his policies, especially those deemed as more extreme?”

AI:

“Zack Polanski is the leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, elected in September 2025 with 85% of the vote. He describes his political views as “eco-populist”, focusing on linking environmental issues with social and economic justice. Some of his key policies include:

– Wealth Tax: Introducing a wealth tax to reduce inequality and fund public services

– Public Ownership: Renationalizing water companies, railways, and energy companies

– Climate Action: Investing £40bn per year in the green economy, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2030

– Housing: Building 150,000 new social homes annually, ending the Right to Buy scheme, and introducing rent controls

– Environmental Protection: Giving nature legal personhood, protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030, and banning destructive fishing practices

Some policies deemed more extreme include:

– Carbon Tax: Imposing a carbon tax on fossil fuel imports and domestic extractions

– Nuclear Phase-out: Phasing out nuclear energy

– Rights of Nature Act: Giving nature legal personhood and rights

– Universal Basic Income: Implementing a Universal Basic Income to guarantee financial security

– Rejoining the EU: Supporting rejoining the European Union through a democratic process

Polanski’s leadership has seen significant gains for the Green Party, including a threefold increase in membership and winning the Gorton and Denton by-election.”

The Local Elections in the UK are scheduled to take place on Thursday, 7 May 2026. This will include elections for 5,014 council seats across 136 English local authorities, as well as six directly elected mayors in England. This will serve as a gauge to what people think about the various parties and their leaders. According to AI: “Reform UK is currently the favorite to win the most seats, with bookmakers pricing them at 3/10”. I daresay Greens will do well and continue their meteoric rise. I will be looking with interest at results in Southend (my city) as well as across the country.

My record as a political pundit is poor so don’t ask me who will win in May. Regarding my own local ward, I will vote for the best candidate, irrespective of party. I remain a political neutral especially as no party or party leader has yet convinced me. Looking ahead, I have little doubt that the days of Labour under Starmer are numbered but don’t relish who might replace them or the disunity amidst any semblance of a decent replacement. As I have said previously, we still need to engage (ignorance and indifference are no excuse) if we can and turn to God, who really is our best hope.