In Britain, a political newcomer from a third party is rising, cracking the long-standing two-party system. The figure is Green Party Korea leader Zack Polanski, whose distinctive digital communication style and appeal to young people has drawn comparisons to New York progressive politician Zohran Mamdani.
According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 2nd (local time), British actor-turned-activist-turned-politician Zack Polanski is unusually attracting supporters for a third-party politician. He is a London Assembly member and the ninth leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, and since he took office the Green Party Korea's average approval rating has risen by about 3%, hitting as high as 15%.
Polanski began his political career in 2015 as a local election candidate for the Liberal Democrats and later moved to the Green Party Korea, winning election to the London Assembly in 2021. On Sept. he was elected Green Party Korea leader with 85% of the vote, and although the Green Party Korea won only four seats in last year's general election, it finished second in 39 constituencies, showing potential for expansion.
In particular, from May to July, when Polanski announced his candidacy for the party leadership, the Green Party Korea's membership increased by at least 8%, and some dubbed the phenomenon the "Polanski surge." In Oct., Green Party Korea membership was estimated to have reached 100,000.
There is analysis that especially active media exposure drove the "Polanski surge." According to media analytics firm BeBroadcast, since Polanski took office, broadcast mentions related to the Green Party Korea increased by 44%, while mentions of other major parties fell by 85% over the same period. Polling expert Professor John Curtice said, "Polanski lacks political experience, but he is excellent at communicating directly with the public," adding, "By focusing more on economic inequality and the cost of living for ordinary people than on more abstract issues like climate, he is drawing people into the party."
He is also getting high marks for his deft use of social media. For example, Polanski posted a TikTok video criticizing that the Labor Party is scapegoating undocumented immigrants for poor public services, which surpassed 1 million views, and he said, "It is important to center economic issues while standing in solidarity with minority communities."
In addition, his sincere conduct is moving the public. For instance, Polanski adheres to a "carbon reduction principle" of not flying and is building a supporter network online instead of traveling abroad, and this active approach of backing his political beliefs with action is drawing in voters under 30 and women.
Polanski's moves are in fact having a real impact on Britain's political landscape. The Labor Party won a landslide in last year's general election, taking 63% of the seats, but its vote share was only about one-third, yielding what has been called an "uneasy victory." With young people's support for the Labor Party wavering amid its response to the Gaza Strip crisis and confusion over immigration policy, the Green Party Korea is seen as gathering strength, with three former independent city councilors recently joining.
Professor Curtice said, "Polanski's candid style and intergenerational rapport resemble Nigel Farage, the politician who led Brexit," adding, "He is turning the frustrations of young people—economic insecurity, housing shortages, and rising education costs—into political energy."