The Green Party of England and Wales is examining how it makes policy after a wave of new members joined under its leader, Zack Polanski — growth so rapid that it has strained a party whose identity rests on letting members, not leaders, decide its program, The Guardian reported.

A surge under a new leader

Polanski was elected Green leader in September 2025 on an "eco-populist" platform that ties climate action to cost-of-living concerns, arguing voters cannot prioritize the environment while struggling with housing, food and energy bills. Membership has since climbed steeply — the party said it passed 200,000 members in early 2026, roughly triple its level before his election, putting it ahead of the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives by that measure. The party has also reported strong local-election gains and improved national polling.

When grassroots democracy meets scale

That growth has put pressure on the Greens' traditional way of doing things. The party has long set policy through twice-yearly conferences at which any paid-up member can vote, supported by open working groups — a deliberately decentralized model that distinguishes it from the more top-down structures of larger parties. With membership now in six figures, managing that participatory process becomes harder, and the party is weighing how to adapt without losing the member-led character that many activists see as central to who the Greens are. The tension is a familiar one for green parties internationally, where a commitment to grassroots democracy is often tested as a party grows and gains office.

A balancing act

Supporters of reform argue the party needs clearer, faster decision-making to capitalize on its moment; critics warn that streamlining risks concentrating power and eroding internal democracy. The review follows earlier structural changes to the party's councils, and the debate over how far to go is likely to run.

A wider realignment

The Greens' rise is unfolding against a broader fragmentation of British politics, in which Reform UK has surged on the right and the traditional two-party dominance has weakened. How the Greens reconcile a much larger membership with their bottom-up traditions — and whether that helps or hinders their push for more seats and influence — will be a defining question for the party in the years ahead.