Labour gives Greens seven days to reject 'Zionism is racism' policy or lose all council power-sharing deals
Zack Polanski, whose Green Party poll rating has slumped to nine points since a member vote declared Zionism a form of racism cost him the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
Labour chair Bridget Phillipson has issued an ultimatum to Green councillors across 19 councils: publicly condemn the party's 'Zionism is racism' motion within seven days or watch their power-sharing arrangements with Labour collapse. Prime Minister Andy Burnham called the Green conference motion "antisemitic" at PMQs on Wednesday, ruling out any national partnership with Zack Polanski's party. Local Green groups must also call on their national leadership to rethink the policy or face the axe. The equalities watchdog EHRC has separately written to the Green Party to assess whether the motion breaches the Equality Act.
Green Party shares power with Labour across 19 councils, including full coalitions in Sheffield, Lewes and Warwick.
Polanski, who abstained from the conference vote, shot back at Burnham: 'You're a prime minister who arms a genocide and locks pensioners up for opposing it.'
The EHRC warned that 'many Jewish people will be feeling vulnerable' and says whether the Greens broke equality law will 'hinge on the practical effects of the motion.'
