Current and former Green Party leaders have cautioned that their party must address the worries of Reform UK supporters to tackle inequality effectively. Zack Polanski and Caroline Lucas stated on Saturday that the Greens should examine why voters impacted by the cost of living crisis are drawn to Nigel Farage’s party. Polanski, who has expressed openness to Reform voters joining, spoke at an event hosted by the left-leaning group Compass in east London. Recent surveys indicate 27% of voters would back Reform in a general election, raising the possibility of Farage becoming prime minister. Polanski noted that while criticizing Reform leaders feels satisfying, a key difference exists between those leaders and potential Reform voters. He argued these voters feel abandoned after years of austerity and unhelpful political rhetoric, and the real issue lies with wealthy elites rather than migrants. Lucas, who led the Greens multiple times from 2003 to 2018, agreed that listening to Reform voters is essential since many of their concerns are valid, even if solutions differ. She pointed to prolonged economic pressures and unfulfilled government promises as reasons for their frustration. Lucas welcomed the Greens’ limited involvement in the Makerfield by-election, where Andy Burnham seeks a parliamentary return amid a strong Reform challenge. She viewed the June 18 contest as significant due to Burnham’s backing of electoral reform and proportional representation, measures the Greens have long supported as vital for improving British democracy.
