Zack Polanski
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Zack Polanski (born David Paulden; 2 November 1982) is a British politician who has been the Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales since September 2025 and a member of the London Assembly (AM) since May 2021. He was the deputy leader of the Greens from 2022 to 2025. Born and raised in Salford, Greater Manchester, Polanski studied drama at Aberystwyth University from 2003 to 2006 and attended a drama school in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States. He has worked as an actor, school activity provider and hypnotherapist. Polanski joined the Liberal Democrats in 2015, and stood as a candidate for the St Pancras and Somers Town by-election to Camden London Borough Council that year. In the 2016 London Assembly election, he stood for the Barnet and Camden constituency. Polanski joined the Greens in 2017, and stood as the Green candidate for the Lancaster Gate by-election to Westminster City Council in November 2018. In 2019, he stood for the Cities of London and Westminster parliamentary constituency. In 2021, Polanski was elected a Member of the London Assembly. He also stood for the West Central constituency, and the Churchill by-election to Westminster City Council. In 2022, Polanski was elected deputy leader of the Greens. This preceded his re-election to the London Assembly in 2024. In 2025, Polanski was elected his party's leader, succeeding the joint leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay. During his leadership, the Greens have made significant gains, including Hannah Spencer's victory in the 2026 Gorton and Denton by-election, shortly after which the party membership exceeded 220,000—a threefold increase since the start of his term. He led the party into the 2026 local elections, which resulted in the party's best results in their history. Polanski has discussed his intention to run for MP in a seat in North London in the next general election. Polanski describes his political views as eco-populist, linking issues such as the high cost-of-living with climate change, and supporting a wealth tax in an effort to reduce wealth inequality.