Fresh crisis for Keir Starmer as 'lefty MPs set to defect' to Green Party

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has said he is "talking to Labour MPs about defections". He suggested left-wing MPs are talking about abandoning Sir Keir Starmer, as a new poll put the Greens neck-and-neck with Labour. When the self-described "eco-populist" took the reins of the party at the beginning of September, he vowed to "replace" the Labour Government.

Mr Polanski has won support from some activists who previously backed ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. And he said Green membership had soared to more than 115,000, up 70% from when he was elected. "I talk to Labour MPs all the time," Mr Polanski told The News Agents podcast, while declining to name any. Pressed further on whether he has been talking to them about jumping ship, he said: "I'm talking to Labour MPs about defections, yes."

He refused to say how many Labour MPs he has been discussing that subject with, saying: "I feel like the indiscretion is there and I'm going to just leave it there."

The Green politician said he would "absolutely" welcome them to his party, but added: "I need to caveat that it's not my decision. That's up to the party.

"And I don't think we're in a place where we need defections from MPs. I think we've clearly got the energy and momentum anyway."

Mr Polanski celebrated a poll by Find Out Now showing his party level pegging with Sir Keir Starmer's on 15% of the vote.

He said in a statement: "When I was elected, I said we weren't here to be disappointed in Labour, we're here to replace them. And I meant it.

"Our membership is surging - already over 115,000, up 70% from when I was elected last month.

"We're about to overtake the Conservatives in membership size and watch this space, we are about to overtake Labour in the polls.

"British politics is changing, Greens are giving Britain hope again."

A new poll has put Reform UK on 32% of the vote, the Conservatives second on 17%, and Labour and the Greens in joint third on 15%, with the Liberal Democrats on 12%.

The Green Party has shifted its politics leftwards since Mr Polanski's landslide victory in the leadership election.

He has signalled an openness to work with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's new left-wing movement, currently known as Your Party. They have also said they will work with the Greens, but have pointed out that there are policy differences. For example, the Greens back membership of NATO, which Ms Sultana opposes.

Zarah Sultana is a former Labour MP who left the party and is helping set up a new party. Former Labour MP Rosie Duffield resigned the Labour whip and sits in Parliament as an independent.