Green Party Launches Local Election Campaign Focused on Housing
Green Party leader Zack Polanski criticised the government's record on affordable and social housing during the launch of the party's local election campaign.
Speaking in Lewisham, south-east London, where the Greens aim to gain seats, Polanski also advocated for the introduction of rent controls in the capital.
The party's recent success in the Westminster by-election for Gorton and Denton has energized Green campaigners, with Labour falling to third place behind Reform UK.
Polanski told supporters that the upcoming local elections across England would reflect this trend, describing it as a "straight up battle between hope and hate" between the Greens and Reform UK.
The two major UK parties, Labour and the Conservatives, are anticipated to lose ground to smaller parties in the local elections scheduled for 7 May.
Following Hannah Spencer's by-election victory in Gorton and Denton in February, the Greens now hold five MPs, marking their highest representation in Parliament to date.
The party is targeting record gains in English councils, particularly in London boroughs such as Hackney, Lambeth, Islington, and Southwark, where Labour currently dominates local government.
Housing Policies and Criticism of Labour and Government
In his speech, Polanski accused Labour of being "in the pockets" of housing developers and prioritising luxury housing over affordable and social homes.
"Labour is in the pockets of housing developers and prioritises luxury housing over affordable and social homes."
He further criticised the government for reversing its commitment to abolish the leasehold system, stating this was due to a preference for pleasing property developers rather than alleviating the financial burdens faced by five million leaseholders.
"The government has U-turned on its promise to scrap the 'feudal' leasehold system because it's more interested in pleasing property developers than freeing five million people from the financial burden of service charges."
The government maintains that its planned reforms will end the leasehold system in England and Wales, where ownership is based on a lease from a freeholder for a limited term.
The Green Party has pledged to abolish leasehold entirely and introduce national rent controls if it forms a government.
The party also highlighted the achievements of Green-led councils in Lewes and Mid Suffolk, which have constructed hundreds of new council homes in recent years.
However, a Labour Party spokesperson accused Green councillors of obstructing the construction of tens of thousands of new homes.
"The Greens oppose housebuilding. Where they're in power, Green councils are backing out of their housing pledges entirely."
The spokesperson added that only Labour is "investing in building new homes, where they're needed," citing the introduction of the Renters' Rights Act, which includes a ban on Section 21 evictions and new tenant protections.
Official government statistics estimate that 342,100 net additional homes were delivered in England between Labour's election in July 2024 and 15 March 2026.
Foreign Policy Criticism and Calls for Action
Polanski also used his speech to accuse Labour of complicity in the Israeli bombardment of Lebanon and criticised the government for failing to impose sanctions.
"The UK must have nothing to do with the US and Israel's war in the Middle East. The government must do more to stop Israel behaving like a rogue state, including withdrawing from its trade deal with Israel."
He called for stronger measures against Israel, urging the government to take a firmer stance.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed being "extremely concerned about the escalation of Israeli strikes," and the government has stated its desire for Lebanon to be included in any ceasefire agreement.
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