Tuesday, September 2, 2025

With the election of Zack Polanski by an overwhelming 85 per cent vote, the Green Party of England and Wales has stepped decisively into the trap of becoming a green version of the Socialist Workers Party. 

Polanski is half right about the opportunity for the Greens as a "populist" alternative to the mainstream parties, a "left-wing" counter to Nigel Farage's success on the other side.

But he has chosen the wrong half. Instead of a broad-based Fotherington-Thomas pitch ("hullo birds, hullo sky") based on action against climate change, he has gone for the full anti-capitalist common front with Zarah Sultana. 

Maybe the voters won't pay much attention to the details, and will just think "green is good" and "Jeremy Corbyn is a sincere and well-meaning chap". Maybe the red-green alliance will sweep all before it. But I don't think so.  

Which municipal and public services company was founded in 1853 as Compagnie Générale des Eaux by imperial decree of Napoleon III?

Answer at the bottom of today's email 

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QUOTATION OF THE DAY

My message to Labour is very clear. We are not here to be disappointed by you. We are not here to be concerned by you. We're here to replace you

Zack Polanski, new leader of the Green Party of England and Wales 

Quiz answer: Veolia

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