Green Party leader Zack Polanski is facing a sharp decline in public approval following two major controversies. According to YouGov figures released today, his favorability rating has dropped 16 points in a single month, leaving him with a net rating of -27.

The £100,000 houseboat and the council tax oversight

Polanski has faced intense accusations of hypocrisy after admitting he failed to pay council tax while residing on a narrowboat in East London. the 43-year-old leader described the situation as an "unintentional mistake" and stated he has taken immediate steps to settle any outstanding amounts.. The vessel, which was described as his "amazing home" in a recent advertisement, was listed for sale at £100,000 before the listing was mysteriously withdrawn following scrutiny of his tax arrangements.

This controversy highlights a growing tension between the Green Party's platform of fiscal responsibility and the personal conduct of its leadership. while Polanski was registered on the electoral roll at a marina where he kept the boat, the discrepancy between his residency claims and his tax obligations has become a significant political liability.

The Golders Green attack and the clash with Sir Mark Rowley

Beyond financial scrutiny, Polanski has been embroiled in a high-profile dispute regarding the Metropolitan Police's handling of an anti-Semitic terror attack in Golders Green. After three people were stabbed in the incident, Polanski used social media to endorse claims that officers were heavy-handed during the subsequent arrests. This stance earned him a rare public rebuke from Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley .

The fallout from his comments extended to the highest levels of the UK government. Sir Keir Starmer criticized the Green Party leader, branding his response "disgraceful" and suggesting he was "not fit to lead any political party." Despite these criticisms, Polanski doubled down on his concerns during a BBC interview with Laura Kuenssberg, stating he remains concerned by video footage of the arrests.

A 16-point drop in YouGov favorability

The cumulative effect of these rows is clearly visible in recent polling data. As reported by the source, Polanski’s favorability has fallen to a point where fewer than a quarter of voters hold a positive opniion of him, while 50 percent are unfavorable. This represents his worst rating since assuming leadership of the Green Party last year.

While his standing among core Green voters has seen a slight increase, attitudes among supporters of other major parties have hardened significantly. Interestingly, despite the recent slump, Polanski’s net rating of -27 still places him ahead of Sir Keir Starmer (-46) and Nigel Farage (-37) in terms of favorability.

The truth behind the Green Party's initial denials

Several questions remain regarding the transparency of the Green Party's communication during these crises . While the party initially claimed that Polanski only satyed on his houseboat "occasionally," his subsequent admission suggests that the party may have provided inaccurate information to the press. This raises questions about whether the leadership was fully briefed on his living arrangements before respnding to media inquiries.

Furthermore, the sudden removal of the £100,000 boat advertisement remains unexplained,as does the specific nature of the video evidence Polanski cited to justify his criticism of the Metropolitan Police. Until these details are clarified, the perception of inconsistency may continue to haunt his leadership.