The Green Party’s annual conference opened today under the new leadership of Zack Polanski. He used his first full gathering as leader to press a vision of redistribution, green transformation, and institutional reform. Polanski challenged the prevailing economic consensus by proposing the Bank of England end its interest payments to commercial banks, arguing those funds could be redirected into public services. He also advanced a wealth tax on the richest one per cent, positioning that as essential to addressing both inequality and climate crisis. His remarks on migration and protest policy drew attention. He urged the government to withdraw the proscription on Palestine Action, condemning use of protest legislation, and connected it to a broader critique of free speech and civil liberties. He contrasted the Greens’ embrace of migration with what he depicted as Labour’s drift toward restriction and convergence with right‑wing rhetoric. Polanski took aim at political elites he said have allowed the country to be “poisoned by extreme wealth,” targeting both major parties for failing to confront corporate influence and environmental degradation. He rejected alliances with Labour, framing his party as an independent challenger from the left. Conference debate has not been without controversy. The Green Women’s Declaration, a group promoting sex‑based rights, was barred from participation — a decision that raised tensions on inclusivity and internal dissent. Meanwhile questions were raised internally about remarks by senior members, including over antisemitism allegations, which Polanski addressed by urging separation between criticism of Israel and prejudice. On climate and energy, Polanski criticised the rollback of public services privatisation and made the environment part of his social justice platform. He also explicitly condemned Nigel Farage’s science scepticism and signalled unwillingness to mirror Reform UK tactics. The conference comes amid rising membership for the Greens, surpassing 80 000, and a sense within the party of a strategic inflection point. The unfolding programme signals a sharper partisan posture — and an effort to stake out space to the left of the governing party ahead of the next election....