Green leader backs immigration and says PM 'would hand UK on a plate' to Reform

The Greens are coming directly to challenge Labour, the party's new leader, Zack Polanski, has told its conference, saying that as things stand Keir Starmer would “hand this country on a plate” to Reform UK.

- Peter Walker Senior political correspondent

Zack Polanski arrives to deliver his speech at the Green party hall in Bournemouth yesterday

Addressing a packed event in Bournemouth, Polanski condemned what he called Labour’s “managed decline” and the aping of Reform policies in areas such as migration.

Polanski, who is Jewish and grew up in Manchester, expressed his horror at the attack on a synagogue in the city on Thursday and made a strong defence of migration.

“This is a party not afraid to say migration has helped make this country what we are today. And it’s made this party too,” said Polanski, who changed his surname from Paulden to Polanski when he was 18, reversing the anglicisation his relatives had adopted when they arrived from eastern Europe.

Polanski, who won the election to lead the party in England and Wales last month, cited his background and those of the party’s deputy leaders, Mothin Ali and Rachel Millward.