See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 18:44 BST, 11 September 2026 | Updated: 18:45 BST, 11 September 2026
Women have quit Zack Polanski's Green Party over 'extraordinary instances of misogyny', it has been claimed.A motion submitted for the Greens' autumn conference next month makes explosive allegations about the treatment of women in the party.It states that female councillors and officers have reported being 'sidelined, patronised, intimidated or treated with hostility by male colleagues'.The motion, as reported by The Times, also accuses the party of failing to confront 'institutionalised misogyny'.It adds that such behaviour has been 'downplayed, denied or treated as less serious than other forms of oppression'.Peter Thelwell, a former Green council candidate in York, has proposed the motion and is urging fellow members to submit anonymised accounts of their experiences of misogyny within the party. Women have quit Zack Polanski's Green Party over 'extraordinary instances of misogyny', it has been claimed Peter Thelwell, a former Green council candidate in York, has proposed the motion and is urging fellow members to submit anonymised accounts of their experiences of misogynyHe said there had been 'countless direct accounts' in the last month from women who had either left the party or were seriously considering doing so 'as a result of extraordinary instances of misogyny that have occurred and been minimised'.His motion calls on the party's complaints panel to 'treat misogyny allegations as seriously as other discrimination'.It also urges Green bosses to 'produce accessible educational materials on patriarchy, misogyny, gendered power and intersectionality' and roll out 'mandatory training' for staff.Jennifer Dee Norman-Kerr, who stood for the Greens in Leeds East at the 2024 general election, said female councillors, candidates and officers in her local party had reported 'abusive language, intimidation and interference in election campaigns'.She said the result had been 'early resignations, withdrawals from participation and fewer women and non-binary people nominating themselves for elections'.A Green spokesperson told the newspaper: 'The Green Party makes policy in a democratic way, and all members can submit motions to our conference.'These motions are subject to a prioritisation ballot. The vast majority will not be discussed.'A party source added: 'I don't recognise this as an accurate characterisation of the party, either in relation to the situation in Leeds or to the scale of internal complaints relating to misogyny.'The majority of members respect the confidentiality of our internal investigations and their outcomes, as do I.'Misogyny is sadly still pervasive across society, and every party and organisation has a responsibility to listen to concerns and keep improving.'The Green Party takes that responsibility seriously, with internal complaints and disciplinary processes to address allegations of discrimination and misconduct, alongside policies to tackle violence against women and girls, fund domestic abuse support, improve access to childcare and protect reproductive rights.'
