Green Party Leader Zack Polanski Apologises For Potential Council Tax Arrears On Houseboat

Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski has apologised for a potential failure to pay council tax on a houseboat he resided on in east London. The party confirmed Polanski had been living on the vessel until recently and has initiated steps to settle any outstanding amounts.

Council Assessment Underway

Waltham Forest Council is currently assessing the complex legal factors surrounding houseboat moorings to determine whether Polanski owes council tax. Tax lawyer Dan Neidle indicated that a boat serving as a sole or main residence is subject to council tax obligations.

Reports suggest Polanski and his partner resided on the boat for three years, despite initial claims by the Green Party that he primarily rented a room elsewhere and only stayed on the boat "occasionally." An advertisement for the boat's sale, seen by this publication, described it as their "amazing home... for three years."

Political Scrutiny and Previous Misrepresentation

Both Labour and Conservative parties have criticised Polanski. A Labour spokesperson accused him of being "caught red-handed" after previously claiming his council tax affairs were in order, while Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake highlighted the "staggering hypocrisy" of a politician advocating for higher taxes failing to meet his own obligations.

This disclosure follows an earlier admission by Polanski that he had inaccurately described himself as a British Red Cross spokesman during a 2022 campaign, clarifying he had only hosted fundraisers for the charity.