Green MP warns party of capture by extremists after Zionism‑as‑racism motion

Ellie Chowns told BBC Radio 4 the motion exposing only 0.4% of members highlights a failure in Green Party governance.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 10 Oct 2026 12:12:42 GMT

Green Party MP Ellie Chowns warned that the party is vulnerable to capture by extremists and racists after a motion labeling Zionism as racism was passed by a vote of just over 1,000 members – about 0.4% of the total membership.

What happened

The motion was approved at the Green Party’s annual conference in Brighton, where members voted to treat Zionism as a form of racism and to back a single‑state solution for Palestine. The vote count was just over 1,000, representing roughly 0.4% of the party’s membership. The decision has sparked internal criticism and external backlash.

What the reports add

The Guardian reported that Chowns said the ability to pass such a “significant and damaging policy” indicated that the party’s structures and policy‑making processes were not working. The Standard added that the motion’s passage came hours after leader Zack Polanski left the conference to campaign in the Holborn and St Pancras by‑election, and that Chowns criticised his lack of leadership on the issue. Both outlets note that the motion was passed by a tiny fraction of members.

What was said

Ellie Chowns told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, “I don’t think that policy, ‘Zionism is racism’, represents the large majority of Green party members, nor of people in the country,” as reported by the Guardian. She added, “If we have policy, such significant and damaging policy, made by a vote of just 0.4% of our members, that something isn’t working in our structures and our policy‑making process,” a quote also cited by the Standard.

How it came about

The motion follows weeks of debate within the Greens about their stance on Israel‑Palestine. Earlier this month, Zack Polanski described himself as anti‑Zionist ahead of the conference (Felo), and former leader Caroline Lucas criticised Polanski for not voting on the motion (Felo). The party’s internal turmoil was amplified by Polanski’s recent defeat in the Holborn and St Pancras by‑election, where his vote share rose but Labour retained the seat (Felo).

Key facts

The Zionism‑as‑racism motion was passed by just over 1,000 votes, about 0.4% of Green Party members. (theguardian.com)
Ellie Chowns said the policy does not represent the majority of members. (theguardian.com)
Zack Polanski left the Brighton conference early to campaign in the Holborn and St Pancras by‑election. (standard.co.uk)

Timeline

2026-10-03 — Zack Polanski declares himself anti‑Zionist ahead of conference debate.
2026-10-08 — Caroline Lucas criticises Polanski for not voting on the Zionism motion.
2026-10-09 — Holborn and St Pancras by‑election results; Polanski’s vote share increases but Labour wins.