Labour has presented a report accusing the Green Party, led by Zack Polanski, of fielding candidates with histories of dangerous and hateful beliefs. This has raised concerns about the vetting procedures of the Greens, as two candidates were recently arrested for alleged antisemitic online posts. Another candidate was suspended for purported antisemitic behavior linked to an account referencing Anne Frank.
The report by Labour highlights 25 candidates who have stirred controversy during the local election campaign. According to Communities Secretary Steve Reed, these instances of hatred are not isolated but rather a pattern among candidates selected by Zack Polanski and the Green Party.
Reed urged Polanski to expel these candidates from the party. Last week, Saiqa Ali and Sabine Mairey, Green candidates in Lambeth, South London, were arrested for allegedly promoting racial hatred online. One of the cited posts featured a photo of an armed individual with a Hamas headband alongside the caption “long live the resistance.”
The Green Party has distanced itself from Newcastle candidate Tina Ion after revelations about her online activities, including derogatory remarks about Zionists and Anne Frank. Ion denied allegations of antisemitism, emphasizing that her criticism was directed at political ideologies, not ethnic or religious groups.
In another instance, Newcastle candidate Phil Brookes shared content that hinted at antisemitism, including a post about Palestinian farm animals and an image depicting the Israeli flag transforming into a Nazi swastika flag. Additionally, Newham candidate Rajeev Kumar’s social media post suggested Jews expect hate because they anticipate being despised.
The Labour report also identifies Lewisham candidate Hau-Yu Tam, who used a racial slur against prominent figures in a Facebook post. In response, a Green Party spokesperson stated that they are investigating cases that contradict their values and have suspended some candidates. The party is committed to enhancing its vetting procedures to prevent unsuitable candidates from standing for election.
