Green Party split widens over direction and hard-left influence

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 14:58 · Archive

Former Green Party leader Adrian Ramsay has criticised the influx of hard-left members under current leader Zack Polanski.

Deep splits within the Green Party have surfaced after former co-leader Adrian Ramsay publicly criticised the party's recent trajectory. He accused hard-left members who have joined under current leader Zack Polanski of attempting to 'change the direction' of the Greens and said some would be better suited to the Socialist Workers Party or other leftwing organisations.

Ramsay was particularly critical of Polanski's handling of a conference debate on a motion declaring 'Zionism is racism'. Polanski did not attend the debate, which Ramsay said showed poor judgment. Ramsay voted against the motion and told the BBC that Israel has a right to exist, placing him directly at odds with the party leadership.

Ramsay acknowledged that many of the party's new members, which have surged under Polanski's leadership, are motivated by environmental concerns and traditional Green Party values. However, he said a 'small number' of individuals have joined from hard-left backgrounds and use 'divisive' tactics to influence the party's agenda. He told the BBC there is 'a real crossroads point for the party' and called for improvements to internal democracy to prevent a takeover by hard-left elements. Ramsay insisted his comments were not a leadership bid.

How it is being reported

• Green party must avoid being taken over by hard left, says former leaderAdrian Ramsay says some new members would be ‘more at home’ in Your Party or Socialist Workers party The former Green party leader Adrian Ramsay has said the party must fix its internal democracy to avoid a takeover by the hard left, saying that some new members “might be more at home” in Your Party or the Socialist Workers party. Ramsay, who has been critical of the handling of the row over a “Zionism is racism” motion passed at the Green party conference, said there were a “small number” of individuals who used “divisive” tactics to influence the party’s agenda. Continue reading...The Guardian · 1 Nov, 14:35
• Green Party Civil War Erupts After Ex-Leader Hits Out At New 'Hard Left' MembersFormer Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay is concerned about the party’s direction. Deep splits within the Greens have burst into the open after a former leader hit out at “hard left” members who have joined the party under Zack Polanski . Adrian Ramsay accused them of trying to “change the direction” of the Greens amd said they would be more at home in the Socialist Workers Party. In an interview with the BBC Newscast, he hit out at Polanski’s decision not to attend a Green Party conference debate on a motion declaring “Zionism is racism”. Ramsay voted against the motion and told the…HuffPost UK · 1 Nov, 12:10

In this story: Adrian Ramsay · Zack Polanski · Green Party · Socialist Workers Party · George Galloway · Jeremy Corbyn

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