Greens 'on course for record-breaking elections'

The Green Party says it is confident of getting "record-breaking results" in May's local elections in London.

At their local election campaign launch in Lewisham, leader Zack Polankski said the capital was a "huge priority" at these elections and predicted the party could win four or five times more than the 18 seats won at the last elections in 2022.

He said his party was also battling with Reform UK for voters who are disillusioned with the traditional political parties.

After addressing an audience of around 100 supporters, he told BBC London: "I think the capital is a typical example of where Labour, not just at government level, but at local council level have totally let people down."

The launch taking place in Lewisham was no coincidence - it is one of the party's key targets in the capital, along with the race for the role of directly-elected mayor in Hackney.

The Greens also want to pick up councillors in inner London boroughs such as Islington, Haringey and Newham.

"The Green Party are a party of hope with a plan," Polanski said.

"It's about making sure we have homes that people can actually afford to live in, council homes, rent controls and making sure we're backing residents and not developers."

As he was pushing the Greens commitment to housing, the Labour Party was questioning it.

Outside the building where the launch was taking place, a van pulled up.

On it, claims from Labour that across the country the Greens had blocked the development of more than 40,000 homes.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: "Zack Polanski can launch whatever campaign he likes, but the facts don't change.

"From Lewisham to Camden, Hackney to Islington, Greens have opposed thousands of homes in a city where the housing crisis is most acute."

However, Polanksi hit back.

"I think Labour saying they've done some research is doing some heavy lifting there because no one seems to know where these numbers have come from," he said.

Polanski added that Green councils across the country had given planning permission for new homes, but accused developers of failing to build.

When asked if he thought voters were turning to the Greens because they liked their policies, or were just fed up with the other parties he replied: "Honestly, it's probably a bit of both.

"It excites me as a Londoner to know that there is an option on the ballot paper that will excite people and bring communities together - that looks like the future of London."

On 8 May we'll know how many Londoners agree.

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