“Our country needs a bold change of direction” – Zack Polanski reacts to Keir Starmer’s departure
Polanski said Starmer had failed to challenge the power and wealth of the establishment
The Green Party of England and Wales leader Zack Polanski has said that the country needs a “bold change of direction” following Keir Starmer’s announcement that he is standing down as prime minister.
In a statement, Polanski also said that Starmer had failed to “challenge the power and wealth” of the establishment.
Polanski said: “Our country needs a bold change of direction. Starmer lost the confidence of the country because of his abject failure to challenge the power and wealth of an establishment which has taken for themselves while leaving the vast majority in a cost of living crisis.
“The vested interests that are holding this country back need to be confronted, with wealth taxes on the super rich, utilities taken into public ownership, rent controls and affordable housing, and an end to support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza.”
Polanski went on to comment on the likely ascent to the leadership of the former mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. He said that Burnham “must be bold or he will bust”.
Polanski said: We are still waiting to see which version of Andy Burnham is going to show up in Downing Street. While he has talked about a change of course, the early indications are not encouraging and suggest more of the same with better communication skills.
“The time for half measures and sticking plasters is long gone – Burnham must be bold or he will be bust.”
“It is going to be the Green Party, in alliance with working class movements, environmental and social justice movements, that can stand up to Reform to prevent the disaster of Nigel Farage in Downing Street.”
Starmer has indicated that nominations for the Labour leadership election will open on July 9.
Chris Jarvis is head of strategy and development at Left Foot Forward
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