WiN endorses Zack Polanski (Green Party) for Holborn and St Pancras by-election
Salaam, We are aware of the upcoming by-election in Holborn and St Pancras, London, on 8th October following the (very welcome!!) departure of Keir Starmer.
While party politics is not our main focus, we do occasionally take a public position - depending on factors such as our capacities, and how crucial an election feels to be.
Wisdom in Nature is taking a clear stand for this election, and is endorsing Zack Polanski, of the Green Party.
Beyond Tinkering around the Edges
While Andy Burnham is far more relatable than Starmer, a Zack Polanski win will send the message that he will need to walk the walk, and not just tinker around the edges.
While there may be some welcome decisions (such as reducing bus fares, cutting VAT on electricity bills, and sanctioning illegal Israeli settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank) at a more fundamental level, Labour is on course to continue to represent big corporations and the ultra-wealthy at the expense of everyday people, and the planet.
U-Turns: Politics for the Rich
Burnham has already U-turned after previously saying he would cap political donations to £500k. This U-turn means the very rich can essentially continue to pay to own the party. It also enables the rise of more divisive parties such as Reform and Restore, funded by billionaires, and fuelling policies of hatred by scapegoating migrants, Muslims and people of colour.
Already it looks like Labour will approve new north sea oil drilling, despite increased climate change/global heating, major heatwaves and wild fires this summer, with things on course to intensify as tipping points are reached.
We need political pressure to push Burnham to call 'it' a genocide, and to stop selling arms to Israel.
It’s Working!
The positive gestures Burnham's government has enacted have actually been made likely because of the success of progressive candidates in local elections and by-elections, such as a Green win in Gorton and Denton. Indeed Burnham is unlikely to have been PM without the rise of progressives.
The electoral success of progressive candidates is having a positive impact on the Labour Party's position.
Whoever wins in Holborn and St Pancras, Andy Burnham will remain PM. He stll has an ongoing chance to fully prove himself and his government.
Accountability
A Green/Zack Polanski win will however ensure that added accountability in Parliament, that Burnham and Labour will otherwise escape from.
This accountability will ensure that Labour continue down a more progressive path that values all people, whatever religion or colour, a path that is compassionate towards people experiencing hardship and fleeing persecution, and that values the other-than-human world which our lives are intimately inter-twined with.
In Peace,
The Wisdom In Nature team
Zack Polanski image attribution: Bristol Green Party, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The image is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.