Zack Polanski

About

British politician and environmental activist known for being the Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales beginning in September 2025. He is also known for serving as a London Assembly Member beginning in 2021 and for previously holding the position of Deputy Leader of the Green Party from 2022 to 2025.

Before fame

He attended Stockport Grammar School and Ridge Danyers College before studying at Aberystwyth University where he earned a bachelor's degree. He worked in a wide range of jobs outside Parliament before he began pursuing politics. His professional background includes work as an actor, youth worker, mental health counsellor, and in the hospitality and gig economy sectors. He was initially a member of the Liberal Democrats between 2015 and 2017. He joined the Green Party of England and Wales in 2017. He ran as the Green Party parliamentary candidate for Cities of London and Westminster in the 2019 UK general election and finished fourth. He was elected to the London Assembly in May 2021 representing the Green Party on the Londonwide list. He announced his candidacy for Deputy Leader of the Green Party in June 2022 and won the internal election in September 2022. He launched his campaign for Green Party leader in May 2025 and won the leadership election in September 2025.

Trivia

He made national headlines in January 2025 after refusing to proceed with an Environment Committee panel made up entirely of men. He succeeded Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay as leader of the Green Party of England and Wales after their co-leadership ended in 2025. He proposed a motion in the London Assembly supporting the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill in December 2021 which passed with cross-party backing.

Family life

His birth name is David Paulden. He was born and raised in Salford, Greater Manchester, England. He is openly gay. He has been in a relationship with Richie Bryan. 

Associated with

He has publicly challenged Keir Starmer on climate and economic policy.