Zack Polanski is keen on social media. But his use of it is not always prudent. He lately shared an image on Instagram showing a man wearing a black T-shirt with the words “we’re only making plans for Nigel” alongside a picture of a guillotine. Cue outrage from Nigel Farage and reports by Reform UK to the police.
The response may be overblown, as it’s hard to see how a pitiful joke could count as incitement. But what was Polanski thinking? The murders of David Amess, Jo Cox and former MP Ann Widdecombe should have impressed upon him the risks to politicians in an open society. The Green Party’s absurd and sententious response that he didn’t realise what he was posting and that everyone should instead show kindness merely compounds the offence.
Polanski has led the Greens for almost 10 months. He has achieved historic success, with victories in the Gorton and Denton by-elections and in council elections. But polling results appear to be turning. One poll this week for More in Common puts Labour ahead, at the Greens’ expense. Another poll, from YouGov, puts the Greens eight points down from a February peak.
Perhaps Andy Burnham’s bounce will prove short-lived. But Polanski’s shortcomings have been progressively exposed in recent months. I’ll call it: he does not possess the intellectual depth, character and political judgment that would allow him to chart a way back.
