A new video by the Canary’s Ranjan Balakumaran exposes the Starmer regime’s continued cover-up of Peter Mandelson’s appointment and other paedophile-related whitewashes, conflicts of interest, Starmer’s protection of US-Israeli war-crime enablers Palantir, the attacks on Iran and the global oil-price scam. Quite an achievement for a 5-minute video.

The ‘Epstein class’ and its supporters get more exposed by the day. Watch the latest video here and share widely:

 

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A new YouGov poll suggests that Nigel Farage’s continued admiration for US fascist Donald Trump is electorally damaging for Farage’s Reform UK. Moreover, his would-be closeness to Trump makes the damage worse.

No love gained

A new YouGov poll shows that, overall, the UK population despises Trump – with more than two-thirds describing themselves as ‘anti-Trump’ and even more perceiving Reform as pro-Trump.

67% of Britons describe themselves as anti-Trump, with Reform UK voters the only group more likely to be pro-Trump than anti

By 2024 vote
Lib Dem: 89% anti-Trump / 2% pro-Trump
Labour: 85% / 3%
Green: 82% / 4%
Conservative: 61% / 19%
Reform UK: 24% / 46%https://t.co/9p6MjkSVbb pic.twitter.com/2k93DnOoTN

— YouGov (@YouGov) March 9, 2026

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Upsetting Reform voters

Hardly surprising, given the wicked actions of Trump and his handlers’ internationally and domestically.

But interestingly, even among Reform’s voters, Reform’s closeness to Trump is hurting the limited-company-as-party.

While ‘pro-Trump’ is the largest self-identification among Reform supporters, it’s not an outright majority. Almost a quarter of them consider themselves to be ‘anti-Trump’ as well.

Could Trump’s idiocy and malignancy move UK politics in a better direction for a change? It seems unlikely, but the new poll might just be a ray of hope.

Featured image via the Canary

As Skwawkbox exclusively reported in January 2026, the Unite union has been splurging money on court cases against three anonymous X accounts. They have taken legal action against X to obtain the names behind the accounts.

All, apparently, to protect the husband of General Secretary Sharon Graham, Jack Clarke. The inclusion of the union as a claimant almost certainly means  Unite is footing the bill. But now the situation has grown even murkier, with the revelation that this expense is being used to target one of its elected executive members — an opponent of Graham.

Complaints pile-up

Jack Clarke was promoted shortly after Graham took over the union in 2021, overseeing the newly-created ‘Bargaining and Disputes Unit (BDSU). Union insiders point out that Unite’s approval procedures for the promotion had not been followed.

Before his promotion under his wife’s leadership, Clarke had been on a final warning from Unite for bullying, misogyny and threats toward subordinates.

Workers in his new unit have also been striking over allegations of bullying and threats against them, too.

Allegations of abuse

In 2018, before Graham became Unite general secretary, she asked colleagues to destroy evidence of bullying and misogyny gathered by staff working under him in his previous role. In December 2024, Graham’s lawyers admitted that, following her take-over, the union destroyed the evidence.

During Graham’s tenure as general secretary of Unite, she has been constantly surrounded by allegations of abuse and anti-union behaviour. This includes her conduct in response to staff complaints about her husband and his allies.

BDSU staff have been in dispute with the union and Clarke over alleged bullying by Clarke and his cronies. These are not the first allegations against Clarke Staff have also accused Graham and her management team of employing intimidation, suspension and anti-union tactics against the staff in the dispute, outraging Unite’s National Industrial Sector Committee (NISC) for the print and graphics sector and the leaders of two unions representing Unite staff and officers.

Yet more allegations

So bad has this alleged conduct been that more than 90% of Unite staff working at the union’s Holborn HQ voted for strike action. Three – some say four – of the five women who worked in Clarke’s department since Graham formed it and put him in charge of it have left, with union sources saying that they also alleged bullying and abuse. The Unite union staff branch unanimously condemned Unite’s abuse of its staff. The influential Officers National Committee (ONC) accused Graham of using Murdoch-style anti-union tactics against workers and officers unionising and taking collective action.

Regarding the executive council, Graham’s allies used expensive lawyers and legal tactics to block the removal of the chair. He’s perceived to be a Graham factionalist whose handling of key issues cost him the confidence of ‘exec’ members. This tactic, repeatedly used, has been at a huge cost to union members.

Pharmacal revelations

The ‘Caseboard’ legal site lists details of ‘Unite the Union and another v content posted…’. This case originally listed ‘Persons Unknown’ associated with three accounts on the X social media platform:

The union also launched a ‘Norwich Pharmacal‘ suit against X. They seeking details of who runs the three targeted accounts.

And it seems the Norwich Pharmacal action disclosed at least one of the names. The updated Caseboard page for the defamation action now lists only two X accounts. The third defendant is named as “Rafik Moosa Mohammed”:

Rafik Moosa Mohammed, known more commonly as Raffiq Moosa to Unite members, is a Leicester councillor. He is an elected member of Unite’s ruling executive (EC). Initially a Graham supporter, Moosa evidently grew rapidly disillusioned with her conduct.

In 2025, as EC and union members demanded to know why Graham was not releasing Unite’s accounts. This came amid reports of membership losses and the squandering of the union’s strike fund. Moosa tried to obtain Unite’s accounts through a statutory application. The union withheld information unlawfully, as the statutory Certification Officer ruled in June 2025. Moosa is now running for re-election to the EC as part of the ‘Unite Alliance’ group. They oppose what they see as Graham’s conduct, cronyism, and betrayal of the movement.

The available paperwork on Caseboard does not mention which comments Moosa made that were allegedly defamatory. Nor does it answer why the union is spending members’ money for Sharon Graham’s husband rather than letting him pay for his own legal action.

This question is particularly important when Clarke appears to be claiming to have been defame. Meanwhile, Unite has said it is suing for “breach of confidence”.

And even more so when Unite has refused to say why it is throwing members’ money at legal action against barely-followed accounts but ignoring defamatory comments by a much bigger one, when its excuse for the Clarke action is that it “makes no apology for ensuring that lies are not told about the union”.

The lawsuit raises an interesting scenario. In 2026, elections will take place for the EC, as well as for Graham’s position as general secretary later in the year. Early indications are that the EC elections are not going in her favour. This may explain why Unite members accuse Graham’s coterie of squandering union resources to campaign for her slate of acolytes.

This may explain why Unite members accuse Graham’s coterie of squandering union resources to ‘callbank’ for her slate of acolytes.

If the EC elections go against her, will the union continue funding her husband’s legal action? And will it impact on her prospects of clinging onto her job despite outrage among members, staff and branches?

Featured image via the Canary

The official fox hunting season may be over, but the work of the Hunt Saboteurs Association is never done. It is a 365 day commitment to keep our country’s wildlife safe. From the riverbanks of the summer mink hunts to legal battles in parliament, this is how ordinary people are standing as a year-round shield for wildlife.

Sabs end the season in style

On 7 March 2026 the Sheffield Hunt Sabs stepped out onto the fox-hunting foray for a final season outing, and dominated the field. The close-knit, uncompromising group split into four tactical teams. They scuppered the hunt at every bridleway and gate. The presence of the sabs meant the hounds couldn’t pick up a single scent without disruption.

The only fox spotted all day had no reason to fear the hounds, trotting past the Hunt Sab’s van, no care in the world. Simon Howell and volunteers watched the stunning vixen slink away into the bushes. Howell quickly masked her scent with a citronella bottle. It was a quiet, clean victory for the sabs. As the jumped up pricks on horseback packed up in frustration, they ended the season in style.

However, for the HSA there is no such thing as an off-season. Groups like the Sheffield Hunt Sabs don’t just protect foxes, they provide a 365-day shield for wildlife. As one season closes, another, just as brutal, begins. The red coats may disappear for a few months, but other killers in our fields remains.

And these people aren’t professional activists, they’re teachers, doctors and labourers.

Radical kind of empathy

They come from every kind of background and form a line of defence for the defenceless. I spoke to a bus driver, businessman, an off-grid lifer, and a retiree. In the current economic hellscape, most of us are fucking knackered by Saturday, but the sabs, choose to spend their days sitting in muddy fields, sacrificing sleep and comfort. They represent radical empathy.

They face the aggression of the hunt without pay. Their dedication is unwavering. Whilst the hunters treat the countryside as their playground, sabs treat it as a sanctuary. And while the public believes the ‘ban’ worked, the reality is way more sinister.

As this season ends, mink hunting begins in April and runs until September. This summer ‘sport’ takes place along riverbanks where hounds hunt small mammals. Sabs  wade through freezing-cold waters, spraying scent dullers on the banks to protect mink. This is ignored by mainstream media, but it’s just as brutal.

Then there are 68 hare hunts currently operating across England and Wales. Hares, unwilling to leave their territories, can be chased in circles for up to 90 minutes before the animal collapses from exhaustion.

This is because they live above ground and have no holes to hide in to escape the jaws of the hounds. They are run until their hearts literally burst. This inhuman practice is a relentless war of attrition against a species already in decline.

The countryside’s dirty secret

By 12 August, the focus shifts to the moors for the start of red grouse season. And before the fox hunting season even restarts, sabs face the dirty secret of the hunting world: cubbing. From August to October, hunts take young, inexperienced hounds into small woods called ‘coverts’. They surround these areas to prevent cubs from escaping and teach these young dogs to kill by tearing apart cubs born that year.

In 2025 alone, there were over 100 reports of foxes being chased during this period, yet the crime stats regarding the legal system are diabolical. Only 2% of reported crimes against wildlife resulted in a criminal conviction in 2024, with only 14 convictions successfully secured for hunting.

The link between wildlife crime and other violence is also clear with 80% of wildlife offenders being active in other serious crimes such as domestic assault and assault.

These are not ‘country gentlemen’ out for a stroll, they’re dangerous individuals. Furthermore 78% of hare coursing offenders have a history of violent crime. This absolute legal failure is exactly why Sheffield sabs believe direct action is the only answer.

Solidarity in the face of the hunt

The Sheffield Sabs build their bravery on a foundation of genuine solidarity and mutual care. This is not a group of individual activists but a collective that has stripped away ego to become an efficient, life-saving machine. Whilst the huntsman appeared dejected by the sight of them, the sabs drew strength from this.

They move through the landscape with a shared purpose, navigating broken footbridges and thick, thorny brush with a level of physical grit which puts the mounted huntsman to shame. A commitment to every living being fuels this grit, from the fox trotting past the van to the toads saboteurs help across the road.

In a society which feels like a fucking burning hellscape, the Sheffield Sabs provide a blueprint for a different way of living. The community checks on one another constantly, ensuring no one stays behind.

Their laughter and camaraderie are a stunning defiance to the culture of violence they oppose. It proves that when people leave their egos at the door, they can outflank even the most archaic of cruelties.

Featured image via the Canary

On the third Friday of Ramadan, Israeli occupation forces have restricted Palestinians in the West Bank city of Hebron from entering the Ibrahimi Mosque, a revered Muslim pilgrimage site.

Israel gatekeeps Ramadan in Hebron

Muslims gathered at the checkpoint to enter the mosque for Friday prayers, but Israeli forces allowed no more than 60 worshippers inside. Under normal circumstances, upwards of 5,000 Palestinians would attend Friday prayers at the Ibrahimi Mosque.

As the queue grew, the Canary spoke to several worshippers waiting at the mosque checkpoint.

Raneen, a 17 year-old Hebron resident, painted a different portrait of mosque life, prior to the war in Gaza.

People came to the old city in large numbers. But since then, there have been less people here, because they are scared- because soldiers make problems for everyone. Now, because of the Iran war, there are even less people. Unfortunately they only let 50 people in today. I came here three hours ago but it is not allowed for me to enter the mosque.

Qusai, 27 years-old, spoke of the significance of Friday congressional prayers, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

We are surprised, because we arrived at the checkpoint, and saw that soldiers have closed the entrance to the mosque. It’s very important for our religion, and important to pray here. Many people waited for the soldiers to open the checkpoint, but they did not let many people through. We have waited a long time.

In conversation with the Canary, Mohammad, aged 64, described deliberate strategy by occupational forces to extend control over Palestinian territories.

Israel does this to make it hard to come to Ibrahimi Mosque and the old city, to make everything empty and control the area. We are feeling very sad, as we’ve come from far away and we aren’t allowed to go in.

The sliding scale of religious freedoms

Since its emergence in 1947, Israel’s ethnoreligious state has treated Islam as an elected enemy. The religious freedoms granted for one community, and denied for another.

Angered by these latest restrictions, elderly resident, Yazeed, hit back saying:

This is the occupation. They let 50 in so they can say the mosque is open today, but it isn’t! They are making control and do not let people have freedom to pray and go to their mosque.

This Ramadan, with its ongoing offensive war against Iran, the Israeli occupation has used the pretext of “security” to ground Palestinians, expand , and deny access to sites of worship in the West Bank. This has meant the journey to prayer has been markedly more difficult, with Palestinians forces to navigate a maze of check points and gates armed by occupational soldiers, and military checkpoints than usual. And there is growing uncertainty over whether the mosque will even be open.

This Ramadan, amid its ongoing offensive against Iran, the Israeli occupation has used the pretext of “security” to ground Palestinians, extend restrictions, and deny access to sites of worship in the West Bank. As a result, the journey to the Ibrahimi mosque, among others sites, has become laden with obstacles, with Palestinians forced to navigate a maze of gates and checkpoints manned by occupation soldiers. Uncertainty looms over when, and if, the mosque will reopen.

A mosque under siege

The restrictions began on the first day of Ramadan, when Israeli soldiers prevented Palestinians from entering the Ibrahimi Mosque, with reinforced deployments throughout the Old City surrounding the mosque.

Then, on Saturday 28 February, the first day of Israeli and America’s joint assault on Iran, occupation forces closed the gates of Ibrahimi Mosque “until further notice,” preventing both worshippers and Islamic Waqf staff from entering the compound.

Then, on Saturday 28 February — the first day of Israel and America’s joint assault on Iran — occupation forces closed the gates of the Ibrahimi Mosque ‘until further notice,’ shuttering the compound and preventing worshippers and Islamic Waqf (religious endowment) from entering.

For Palestinian residents, the restrictions represent another escalation in a decades long battle for control of the sacred site. Zionist control over Hebron, known as al Khalil in Arabic, began after 1967 when ‘Israel’ occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem. But in 1994, an illegal Israeli settler stormed the mosque, and massacred 29 Muslim worshippers during dawn prayers. After this incident, Israeli occupation authorities divided the mosque complex in two – annexing half of the mosque where Jewish worshipers pray. The larger portion was allocated to Jewish worshipers, leaving Palestinian muslims with less than half.

The IOF, of course, controls access to the entire site, through the use of metal detectors, checkpoints and restricted entrances. These measures not only affect Palestinian worshippers, but also the daily life and social fabric of the old city of Hebron, where the mosque is located. This area is under the total control of the Israeli occupation’s military, and has illegal Israeli settlements located there.

Ibrahimi Mosque’s storied history

The Ibrahimi Mosque, known to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs, is revered by both communities. It stands above a cave believed to contain the tomb of the Prophet Ibrahim.

For centuries Muslims have travelled to Hebron to pray at the mosque. It is considered the fourth most sacred site in Islam, after the holy mosques in Mecca and Medina, and Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is also currently closed to Palestinian worshippers. Praying at these sites during Ramadan carries special spiritual significance for worshipers observing the holy month.

Control over the mosque’s administration has increasingly shifted away from Islamic authorities in recent years. Israel occupational forces guard every entrance to the Ibrahimi Mosque, and the Israeli occupation has even placed CCTV cameras in the Muslim section, allowing them to surveil Palestinians while they pray. In 2025, Israeli authorities also removed the Hebron municipality’s role in managing the site and transferred control to a settler council linked to the nearby illegal settlement of Kiryat Arba.

Cleaving access

The decision followed earlier moves limiting the authority of the Islamic Waqf, the endowment historically responsible for the management of Islamic sites. The changes could allow structural modifications to the complex, thought to include construction work and expanded facilities for Jewish worshippers, without Palestinian oversight.

These changes are part of an intentional broader transformation of the Old City of Hebron, by the Zionist regime. The area surrounding Ibrahimi Mosque lies in a heavily militarised zone where the IOF guard the settlers living in the illegal settlements established at the city’s centre. Military checkpoints, surveillance cameras and restricted streets now dominate what was once the busiest commercial district in the South of the West Bank. And the nearby Palestinian shops remain closed after years of closures and security restrictions.

For as long as the occupation tightens its grip on Hebron’s Old City, Palestinians will assemble — prideful and peaceful — outside the Ibrahimi Mosque, undetered and unafraid. Prayer at the mosque is more than a sacred act or a conversation with God — it asserts their visibility as  part of Hebron’s cultural and religious fabric. It’s not heroic or provocative, but an affirmation of what should be ordinary, yet is criminalised under occupation.

Featured image via Charlie Jaay

Zack Polanski (Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer)

12 min read8 min

Zack Polanski is still revelling in a historic by-election victory in Gorton and Denton, where plumber Hannah Spencer won over 40 per cent of the vote, when he visits The House offices.

The Greens’ unquestionable triumph in Manchester and corresponding jump in the national polls have been quickly overshadowed, however, by events abroad as Israel and the US launched attacks on Iran.

Polanski’s deputy, Mothin Ali, reacted to the strikes by joining a protest that critics characterised as supportive of the Iranian regime but the Greens describe simply as anti-war.

“I can’t guarantee that I’ve never been on a march where someone hasn’t said something I disagree with,” the leader says, confirming that he would attend these protests himself, even though attendees were flying pro-regime flags and mourning Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “It’s cynical when people seek to smear people who are being voices of peace by finding one poster or one line that someone said in a speech.”

What is his message to those who will look to use this opportunity to escape a theocratic regime that executes gay people and oppresses women?

“We need absolute solidarity with the Iranian people, and I’ve been consistent on this for years,” he replies, resolute in his warning that the UK could be “dragged into another illegal war”. He supports sanctions on Iran but says they must be “handled very carefully” or they risk hitting the poorest.

Polanski contends that Britain cannot rely on President Trump – who is a “real threat” and not an ally – being out of office in a few years. “We might get something worse than Donald Trump. It’s really important that we have our own sovereignty here, we stand on our own two feet, and we recognise, thankfully, we’re not an empire any more. We’re a small island.”

He would like to rejoin the EU at some point (“we are stronger together”). But for now, does he recognise that British security is deeply reliant on the US, which is something that cannot be changed quickly?

“Yes, in the short term, it’s very difficult to disentangle our military from the US,” he acknowledges. “I think the important thing to do, in the short term, is to look at: ‘What does the plan look like in the longer term?’ and then to begin to execute it. To make sure that, ultimately, we’re protecting this country.”

As we turn to coastal communities, Polanski’s prescription is much the same: difficult problems simply require clear leadership.

When local residents protest the new infrastructure needed to reach net-zero targets, who wins – democracy or the environment? “I think you can have both,” he says. “You have to show leadership. Far too often, consultation actually means notification.”

His description of this ideal might sound like notification with more communication. “What’s really powerful is when a politician turns up in the community and says: ‘This is what we need to get done. This is why I’m taking you on that journey. Let’s work out how we can do it together.’” But he insists this approach can build trust.

Polanski characterises Keir Starmer, by contrast, as having a “worrying authoritarian edge to him”.

“I don’t think this is what Labour MPs stand for at all. So many of them are so deeply frustrated and disappointed right now. In fact, I know they are because I speak to them,” he continues. “I know many of them are just hanging on in there, and I get that – they’re waiting for another leadership contest.”

Andy Burnham is often regarded as the Labour politician with the charisma to counteract the Polanski effect, but he was blocked by the leadership from entering Parliament.

While Polanski does not believe the Greater Manchester mayor would have held Gorton and Denton for Labour, he admits: “When he wasn’t selected, I’ll be completely honest, I was really happy about it, because it would’ve been really tricky.”

The Green leader claims to hope that dissenting Labour MPs will “increasingly find their voice”, yet he doubts their ability to do so: “The Prime Minister far too often holds them in contempt.”

How many is he discussing defection with? “If you speak to some Labour MPs, some days it seems like it’s going to be their last day in the party, and other days they’ve seen a glimmer of light and think everything’s going to be OK.”

Pushed for a number of potential defectors, he says it has reached “a handful”.

The Green leader, who listens to political podcasts at three times the normal speed, is a fast talker.

Although his favourite content comes from Twitch and YouTube streamers, he refers to “the cesspit that is online”, where it feels like “everyone in the world hates each other”. He suspects that bots were used to target him during the by-election campaign because the level of abuse dropped off as soon as it ended.

“When you look at my posts during that campaign – which would have comment after comment about my teeth, about politics, about all sorts of things – that went from, like, 95 per cent of the comments to five per cent almost overnight.”

Polanski, 43, was shy as a child and drew further into himself when his parents divorced. He credits drama classes at school for building his confidence. He later became an actor and, more controversially, a hypnotherapist. (In 2013 he was persuaded by a reporter to boost her cup size with the power of the mind, as an experiment. He has apologised for the incident while saying it was misrepresented by the Sun.)

He became a London Assembly member in 2021, deputy leader of the Greens the following year, and six months ago easily won the top job with 85 per cent of party member votes.

“If I didn’t have those drama classes when I was 11, I certainly wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now,” he says. “I felt so insecure about who I was and my place in the world and what was going on about my family. Like so many young people at that age, if their parents divorce, I felt like it was my fault and I’d done something wrong.”

After attending a Jewish school that he enjoyed, he moved at secondary age to Stockport grammar, a private school, on a scholarship. Bullied for being Jewish and more so for being gay, he “absolutely hated every second of it”.

As the eldest of his father’s children, the youngest of his mother’s, and the only child of both parents, he “fit every category” of siblinghood, which one imagines must have felt like fitting none of the categories.

While his dad worked in a DIY shop and his mum did lots of jobs – in theatres, as a make-up artist – he cannot easily define himself in terms of class either: “I was one of the poorer children at school but, still, my story is not a story of poverty.”

Do his parents support the Greens now? “I don’t talk about my parents – just because I’m in public life, but they’re not,” he replies, though the Guardian reported last year that they were Green voters. He is more guarded than one might expect from a politician pitching themselves as a straight talker.

Apart from inhaling the chocolatey fumes of the nearby McVitie’s factory via his bedroom window, the only positive childhood memory he recalls is being part of the Jewish community in northern Manchester, including cheder on Sundays.

Being raised in a pro-Israel family must complicate his feelings about the Jewish state. What did Zionism mean to him at that time?

“When I was growing up, the story of Israel was always ever-present in the family home and in the school,” he says. “As I got older, though, I was always really aware of socialist Zionism, a small group of people that were always against the eviction of the Palestinians from their homeland, and [non-Zionist Jewish socialist movement] Bundism as well.

“So, there’s lots of different aspects of what a Jewish homeland would look like. It is a complicated, sensitive and nuanced conversation. What is clear to me, though, is what Zionism is under Benjamin Netanyahu – a genocidal regime.”

“Zionism is racism” is the title of a motion that is being sent to the next Green Party Conference and that Polanski has not opposed. Would that statement not flatten the nuance he speaks of? “If we’re talking about Benjamin Netanyahu and the genocidal regime, then that is obviously racist,” he replies.

But “Zionism is racism” would be labelling as racist those he grew up alongside – family, friends – who consider themselves Zionist.

“I think all statements and slogans are complicated because there’s always more nuance behind a sentence, and so that’s why I think the sentence needs qualifying to talk about the present day and what’s happening right now.”

He would not consider them racists for being Zionists, though, would he? “Who, sorry?” Zionists he grew up around, for example. “I think if someone supports Benjamin Netanyahu’s genocide, then I think there’s no other definition of that than racist.”

But he has mentioned different kinds, such as socialist Zionism? “Yeah, and so that’s for that person to define what their Zionism is. That’s why I’m defining the Zionism that I’m talking about. And that’s the problem with labels, right?”

In the Gorton and Denton campaign, critics opposed the Green Party’s use of videos in Urdu. Would he do one in Hebrew? “Yes.”

He was born David Paulden before he changed his name (Zack after the Jewish character in Goodnight Mister Tom; Polanski to restore his familial name). Together with his professional background as an actor, and his past as a Liberal Democrat who so opposed Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour leadership that he heckled him at a rally, the rebranding has led to charges of inauthenticity from some. How does he respond?

“I’d laugh in their face. I think there’s a lot of inauthenticity in politics, but it’s not coming from me.”

Asked when his thinking changed on Corbyn, who endorsed the Greens in the by-election, Polanski explains: “Lots of people have been on this journey… I really bought the fairytale that a national economy was anything like a household budget.”

Citing Extinction Rebellion and becoming a vegan as contributing factors to his political journey, he argues that openly changing his mind helps to connect with people. “I’m almost more suspicious of politicians who have a fixed mindset about everything,” he says.

Many would say Corbyn is one of those politicians. “Me and Jeremy Corbyn are very different people. He’s said so. He wouldn’t mind me saying that,” he replies.

When Corbyn was opposition leader in 2018, Polanski tweeted that as “a pro-European Jew”, these were “two reasons I couldn’t vote for Labour under Jeremy Corbyn”.

“Since then, we’ve had a book by Paul Holden, The Fraud, which I think has laid out the cynical and systemic deliberate obfuscation of a really serious issue like antisemitism. I believe that I believed what I was reading and what I was seeing,” he explains today.

“I’m a Jewish leader of a political party who regularly gets accused of antisemitism. I think we need to take antisemitism really seriously, and I don’t believe a political weaponisation of it is the way to do it.”

So, what next for Zack Polanski?

He is not interested in the London mayoralty for himself – “I’m more focused on Parliament” – but reckons New York’s Zohran Mamdani offers a blueprint for Green success. (The pair are liaising on their shared love of video-based comms.) Nor would he run in any non-London by-election: “What I will be doing is looking for the future Hannah Spencers.”

Polanski has made it clear that he would not stand against Diane Abbott in her Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat, where he currently rents with his partner Richie. Opposing a “national treasure” is a “non-starter”, he stresses. Yet the idea, The House understands, is that he could be her successor.

“I don’t think anyone should be rushing her for an answer,” says the Green leader. “It’s definitely not up to me to decide when Diane Abbott is going to retire.” Yet he does not reject the concept: “Hackney North and Stoke Newington is one seat that is definitely in consideration.”

And, where for the Green Party? In pushing Labour into third place in a previously safe seat, they have put a serious dent – if not altogether destroyed – the argument that Labour is the only left alternative to Reform UK.

“My target is to be an MP within a much bigger group of Green MPs. Whether that is having a confidence and supply deal, or any government relationship, really depends on what the voters decide, who the leader of the biggest party is, what they’re offering,” Polanski says.

He rules out any kind of partnership with Starmer: “I think that relationship is broken. There are plenty of Labour MPs that I would very happily work with, such as Nadia Whittome, Clive Lewis, but I think the chances of them leading the Labour Party, with no disrespect to them, are about as likely as me leading the Labour Party.”

A progressive alliance is similarly dismissed, now that the Greens are “confident in our own ability to win” – even if the Tories and Reform unite the right.

“Gorton and Denton was our 127th target seat, which now means there’s no no-go areas for the Green Party in the country. What we’ve absolutely smashed out the park now is that idea of a wasted vote. That line was holding us back for decades, and I cannot wait to see how much faster we can move now.”

As we leave Millbank Tower, an office worker spots the Green leader and begins waving excitedly from inside. By the time Polanski is explaining that he now receives Nigel Farage levels of attention, she has abandoned her desk and come out to praise him in person. He looks faintly self-conscious – but does not miss his cue. 

Aphra Brandreth MP is Member of Parliament for Chester South & Eddisbury.

Unlocking Opportunity: Why the Commonwealth Matters in a Changing World

Britain has slipped to fourth place in the 2026 Global Soft Power Index, behind the United States, China and now Japan. One explanation often offered for this decline is that Britain has adopted a more isolationist foreign policy since leaving the European Union. Yet this interpretation does not stand up to scrutiny. In reality, under the previous Conservative government, the United Kingdom expanded its engagement with new markets and emerging opportunities beyond Europe, seeking to strengthen ties with regions that will play an increasingly significant role in the global economy in the decades ahead.

One clear example of Britain working in partnership with countries around the world is the Commonwealth, the largest and oldest transnational association of nations. Its membership spans every continent and represents around a third of the world’s population. The modern Commonwealth is sometimes mistakenly viewed as a continuation of the British Empire, but this characterisation is outdated. Today it is better understood as a voluntary family of nations committed to shared principles including development, democracy and peace, where every member state has an equal voice regardless of size or economic strength. The fact that the four most recent members have no historical ties to the British Empire illustrates how the Commonwealth has evolved into a forward-looking partnership rather than a legacy institution. Britain is just one of 56 countries working together through this network of cooperation and shared values. In an increasingly unstable world, the importance of such partnerships, and of working as equal partners, should not be underestimated.

The modern Commonwealth was established in 1949, in the years since the world has changed dramatically. Today with war on our doorstep in Europe, and the Middle East in chaos, it is clear that the international system is becoming increasingly multipolar, uncertain and, at times, dangerous. In this environment, networks that bring countries together around shared values and encourage dialogue between diverse nations matter more than ever – highlighting the enduring importance of the Commonwealth.

Yet Britain today faces a clear soft power challenge. In an increasingly unstable and volatile world, strengthening our hard power remains essential. However, influence in the modern era is exercised in many ways. Too often discussions about global competition focus solely on military capability, whether measured by the size of navies, the strength of air forces, or the number of soldiers in our armies. These capabilities remain vital, but soft power, expressed through our cultural influence, diplomatic networks, educational institutions and economic partnerships, can be just as significant in shaping global influence. This year’s Commonwealth Day offers a timely opportunity not only to celebrate one of the world’s most enduring transnational networks, but also to look ahead. Its theme, “Unlocking Opportunities Together for a Prosperous Commonwealth,” reflects the potential of this partnership to expand cooperation and create new opportunities for its member nations. For Britain, it is an opportunity to deepen collaboration with partners across the Commonwealth and to work together to unlock the opportunities that this unique network provides.

Recent developments illustrate how Commonwealth relationships could help shape the global dynamics of tomorrow. Last week, Canada’s Conservative Party leader, Pierre Poilievre, outlined a vision in which the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand deepen their cooperation in areas such as defence, trade, mobility and skills. Greater collaboration between these nations would not only generate economic, cultural and social benefits, but would also strengthen our collective voice at a time when speaking with clarity and conviction on the international stage matters more than ever.

Of course, it would be unrealistic to replicate a CANZUK-style framework across the entire Commonwealth.

The diversity of its membership, spanning every region, culture and stage of economic development, makes such an arrangement impractical. Yet that diversity is also one of the Commonwealth’s greatest strengths. While deeper integration may be possible between some members, there remains significant scope to expand cooperation across the wider network wherever it is mutually beneficial. Whether through trade, education, diplomacy or development, the Commonwealth provides a unique platform through which its 56 members can strengthen partnerships and unlock new opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Britain must recognise a simple reality.

In today’s world, influence is rarely exercised alone. Power is more widely distributed, and the ability to shape events increasingly depends on the strength of partnerships and alliances. That challenge has been compounded by the current Labour Government’s hesitant and ineffective response to the crisis in the Middle East, which has done little to reinforce Britain’s credibility on the global stage. Networks such as the Commonwealth therefore become even more valuable. If Britain approaches this partnership with ambition, humility and a clear sense of purpose, it can help deepen cooperation between member states while strengthening its own global influence in the process.

By working alongside Commonwealth partners to expand opportunity, strengthen connections and address shared challenges, Britain can help ensure that this remarkable network remains a force for stability, cooperation and prosperity in an increasingly uncertain world.

A team of 32 experts has published a paper proving there is no evidence that ADHD is overdiagnosed — a big fuck you to the Labour government pedalling this dangerous lie.

Government departments unite against disabled people

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched reviews into the strain of ‘overdiagnosis’ of neurodivergent and mental health conditions has on the NHS.

Meanwhile, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is in the process of reforming PIP. One of the main things the disability benefits cuts protests stopped last year was them limiting eligibility. This would’ve especially affected people with conditions such as ADHD. Streeting’s reviews would give them the ammunition to do that.

And it’s not just those departments that are ramping up hatred. Prime Minister Kier Starmer has also stated that there’s a “moral case” for changing PIP eligibility. Moreover, I don’t think we should be taking morality lessons from those enabling genocide.

Experts debunk overdiagnosis myth

With the media complicit in benefits hate, it’s so important that medical experts are standing up and proving the government to be liars.

32 experts came together to publish ADHD (over) diagnosis: fiction, fashion and failure in the British Journal of Psychiatry. The report overwhelmingly rules that

There is no evidence that ADHD is over-diagnosed in the UK

The authors state that, in fact, just 5.4% of children and 3.3% of adults are estimated to have ADHD. They also explain that while health records do show a rise in diagnosis between 2000 and 2018, it is nowhere near what it should be.

While the administrative prevalence of ADHD has increased over time, available pre-pandemic data suggest that it has remained substantially below the ADHD population prevalence in the UK, providing no evidence at present that ADHD is over-diagnosed at a population level.

They said this increase in diagnoses could be because more people know about ADHD than in the past. In the last few years, for instance, far more older women have discovered they have ADHD. This was missed in childhood.

Labour’s lies are a barrier to ADHD diagnosis

The report states that, if anything, it’s still massively underdiagnosed, largely because the NHS isn’t funded enough to support people with ADHD.

Beyond the controversy around over- or under-diagnosis and over-medicalisation of ordinary behaviours or emotions, the main issue is that UK clinical services cannot adequately support individuals with ADHD who need help.

It also skewered the pervasive narrative that ADHD is overdiagnosed, coming from the media and politicians

There is a risk that the narrative claiming ‘ADHD is over-diagnosed’ could be used to deny people with properly-diagnosed ADHD the care they deserve.

Which, funnily enough, is exactly what Labour plans to do.

It’s clear to see that Labour doesn’t actually care if ADHD actually is overdiagnosed; they just want to strip disabled people of vital support. But hopefully, with the overwhelming evidence against them, they will be called on their bullshit.

Featured image via the Canary