Polanski accuses Starmer of ‘dancing to Farage's tune’

Zack Polanski has vowed to defend Britain from a descent into authoritarianism under Sir Keir Starmer, warning the prime minister that “our rights and our liberties are not negotiable”.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

In his first conference speech as Green Party leader, the left-wing firebrand attacked Sir Keir over digital IDs, the proscription of the Palestine Action protest group and Labour’s decision to ban a handful of journalists from its own conference in Liverpool.

“This country has a proud tradition of protecting civil liberties, but once again a Labour government is cracking down on our rights,” he warned.

Mr Polanski said: “From terrorist proscription against protesters, to banning journalists from their conference, to diving into a rushed, evidence-free plan for digital IDs that are likely to discriminate against minorities.

“The alarm bells of authoritarianism are now ringing.”

He said: “It’s down to us, the Green Party, to take a stand and say that our rights and our liberties are not negotiable, and we will do everything in our power to protect both our privacy and defend our juries.”

Mr Polanski said the proscription of Palestine Action, which is planning another protest in London today despite the threat of arrest against those who support it, “must be withdrawn”.