The Green Party leader, Zack Polanski, has advocated for the legalization of all drugs, including Class A narcotics. Polanski emphasized the necessity of a “public health approach” to address the issue and suggested that this bold step could help combat drug-related criminal activities. He criticized the ineffective war on drugs and called for a new perspective on the matter.
Speaking before his inaugural leader’s speech at the party’s national conference in Bournemouth, Polanski expressed his views to BBC South East, stating, “The war on drugs has absolutely failed, and ultimately we need to be having a public health approach.” When asked about the financial implications for taxpayers, he highlighted the current burden resulting from illegal drug markets and gang violence across regions, attributing it to the prolonged enforcement of drug prohibition by past Prime Ministers.
In a spirited speech, Polanski criticized Keir Starmer’s government, contrasting the Green Party’s stance with that of mainstream political rivals. He underlined the Green Party’s commitment to environmental populism and asserted that it was time for a politics of hope to prevail over despair. He further criticized Labour’s track record on climate issues and warned against maintaining the status quo under Starmer’s leadership, suggesting it could lead the country into unfavorable circumstances.
Polanski proposed solutions to ongoing challenges, such as the small boats crisis, advocating for the expansion of safe and legal migration routes. Additionally, he called for a radical wealth tax to generate funds for essential public services, positioning the Green Party as a proactive force for change.