Greens Launch Local Election Campaign with Focus on Housing and Rent Controls
Greens Target Housing Crisis in Local Election Push
The Green Party has officially commenced its local election campaign, with leader Zack Polanski vehemently challenging the government's performance in delivering affordable and social housing. Speaking in Lewisham, south-east London, a key target area for Green gains, Mr Polanski also called for the immediate implementation of rent controls across the capital.
The party's recent by-election triumph in Gorton and Denton, where Labour was relegated to third place behind Reform UK, has injected considerable momentum into their campaign. Mr Polanski suggested that upcoming local elections across England would reflect this dynamic, framing the contest as a "straight up battle between hope and hate" between the Greens and Reform.
Affordable Homes and Leasehold Reform
Mr Polanski accused Labour of being unduly influenced by housing developers, prioritising luxury properties over much-needed affordable and social homes. While affirming he is not "anti property developer", he expressed opposition to "excess profits" and advocated for a "hybrid picture" of development, including more council-led house building initiatives to ensure cheaper homes are constructed.
He further criticised the government for allegedly backtracking on its commitment to abolish the "feudal" leasehold system, suggesting a preference for pleasing developers over alleviating the financial burden on five million leaseholders. The Green Party has pledged to abolish leasehold and introduce national rent controls if they form a government, empowering individual councils to cap excessive rents locally and grant renters new rights to demand energy efficiency improvements.
Labour Rebuttal and Broader Issues
In response, a Labour Party spokesperson accused Green councillors of attempting to obstruct tens of thousands of new homes, asserting that "the Greens oppose housebuilding". They claimed that Green councils are "backing out of their housing pledges entirely" where they hold power. Labour highlighted its own efforts in building new homes and introducing the Renters' Rights Act, including a ban on Section 21 evictions.
Mr Polanski dismissed Labour's claims as "nonsense" but expressed pride in his party's stance against "unaffordable luxury developments", stressing that new homes must be both affordable and accessible. Beyond housing, Mr Polanski also used his speech to criticise Labour's perceived complicity in the Israeli bombardment of Lebanon and called for the UK to disengage from the US and Israel's involvement in the Middle East, including withdrawing from the UK-Israel trade deal.
