‘Dysfunctional’ Green Party leaves voters cold in Holborn and St Pancras after ‘Zionism is racism’ controversy

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In recent weeks, voters in Holborn and St Pancras have been tempted by the prospect of a Green MP after more than four decades of Labour.

But amid growing controversy surrounding candidate Zack Polanski, along with fresh hope offered by the new prime minister Andy Burnham, the inner London constituents decided to stick with what they know.

“I like normal, boring people in the community to be my [MP], not hypnotists,” one Kentish Town local quipped.

Dan Dexter, who voted for Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali, was relieved by the outcome of Thursday’s by-election after fearing Green leader Mr Polanski might win.

The 38-year-old paediatrician considered the Greens to be an appealing party in the past but feels it has become “the new version of the dysfunctional old left side of the Labour Party.”

“They’re sectarian, I feel, especially what happened on the weekend,” Mr Dexter said.

Mr Polanski, whose party was already slipping in the polls, has come under severe pressure this week following the Greens’ vote to classify Zionism as racism on Sunday.

“I think it was just a further example of how the party has just become the new version of the dysfunctional old left side of the Labour Party, rather than what they were meant to be, which is a party that is cohesive and about the environment,” Mr Dexter added.

Ms Abdi-Wali was declared Sir Keir Starmer’s replacement at around 3am on Friday after she secured 12,292 votes. Mr Polanski came in second with 8,928 votes.

Mr Dexter said he was drawn to Ms Abdi-Wali, who was the leader of Camden council, because of her involvement in the community.

“She seems inclusive, I like her story, she’s from here, she’s been involved in community politics,” he added.

Kentish Town resident Charlotte Eastwood had been undecided on whether to go Green or Red, but went with the candidate she felt would best serve her area.

“I was very torn between Greens and Labour, but I went with Labour in the end,” the 34-year-old said.

“I think Zack Polanski has made a few really big mistakes recently, and it just shows me that he’s still a little bit immature.”

She said she didn’t agree with the party’s “Zionism is racism” motion, but also wanted to go with a candidate who cared about the local community.

“I think for me it was more of a local thing. It was who was going to serve this local constituency the best.

“Having lived in a few different boroughs that have had either a prime minister before or someone in parliament that’s doing big things over there, they don’t really care about the local community because they don’t have time.

“I’d rather have an MP that cares about us and wants to spend time thinking about our area, our constituency, what we want, not playing games in Whitehall.”

Retired radiographer Alison Thomas, who wanted Mr Polanski to represent her, described Ms Abdi-Wali’s win as a “very disappointing” result.

The 72-year-old from Kentish Town has voted Labour in the past, but said she was “fed up” with the party following several “empty promises”.

She feels let down by both Labour and the Conservative Party after working in healthcare for five decades, and was also concerned by Mr Burnham’s plan to scrap the state triple lock pension.

“I’ve always paid my way. I worked hard [and I am] worried about what will happen with pensions,” Ms Thomas added.

Mr Polanski has vowed to stay on as leader despite his defeat and the controversy surrounding his response to the vote.

Among the senior members who have criticised Mr Polanski is Vivien Lichtenstein, the chair of Jewish Greens, who has called for his resignation.

She told Times Radio he made a “big mistake” by not taking part in the debate on the party’s motion after Mr Polanski said he would have voted against it had he not been out campaigning.

Another Kentish Town local believes this was “the straw that broke the camel’s back” for many constituents.

Reanne Reiss, 35, was unimpressed by the main candidates and decided to back the Lib Dems, said: “The Greens, for me, I don’t like Zack. For Labour, I think we need something different. So I went for something different.”

Ms Reiss said she didn’t agree with Mr Polanski’s party motion and didn’t “like him as a person or his ideology.” Asked if it was over for him following the results, she said: “Yeah, I hope so.”

As for Labour, the former “big Keir supporter” said there needed to be change from the party.

“Andy is something different, but I also think it’s much of the same, so I wanted to register a protest vote,” she said.

“Really, we’re concerned with local issues…Housing is a big problem, affordability, childcare, schools…We’ve got two young kids, so we’re kind of issue voters”

Stephanie, 54, who is Jewish and voted Green in the general election, said: “I ended up voting for Labour, but I couldn’t decide which way to go.

“I landed on Labour because I really like what Andy Burnham is doing; I like him as a leader. I think he’s quite front-facing, I think he addresses issues directly.”

She added: “We’re all in our household very distressed about the Palestine situation, and that put us off Labour a little bit because we feel like they need to be doing more to protect Palestine.

“But I feel like, as a force for good, I want anything to keep out the far right.”

Her husband, Matthew, 60, missed the vote but said he would have voted for the Green party because of its “clarity and voice” on Gaza.

Asked about the motion, he said: “The one-state [solution] was a step too far…but the idea that this genocide and Zionism is intrinsically racist, that I believe.”

Matthew described Mr Polanski as a “Terrier snapping at the heels of the Labour party” and said he would have had a persuasive voice as an MP.

“I have no disrespect for [Ms Abdi-Wali]…and I’m sure she’s fantastic. But rather than a compliant first-time backbencher, I’ve got a lot more time for the idea of Terrier snapping at the heels of the Labour Party to get them into line and to put pressure on them.”

He said the defeat wouldn’t affect Mr Polanski’s leadership. “I think he’s gaining momentum. I think that people are taking the Green Party seriously more now than ever before, and with a super viable Terrier leading them, who stands for good.”

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