Topic analysis

English Green party leader Zack Polanski tells Australian colleagues to ‘connect with anger’ to counter rightwing populism

Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, addressed the 2026 Victorian Greens campaign conference via video link, advising Australian Greens to connect with voter anger to counter right-wing populist parties like Pauline Hanson's One Nation, similar to his party's approach to Nigel Farage's Reform UK in the UK. Polanski stated progressives often rush to offer policy solutions without first acknowledging voter frustration, recommending that the party validate disillusioned voters' concerns before presenting solutions rather than ignoring rising right-wing populist groups entirely.