Zack Polanski hit by wave of female resignations over allegations of Green Party 'misogyny'

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Zack Polanski’s Greens has been hit by a wave of female resignations over claims of misogyny in the party.

A motion has been submitted for the party's autumn conference in Brighton next month and makes claims of “extraordinary instances of misogyny".

It claims female councillors and officers have been “sidelined, patronised, intimidated, or treated with hostility by male colleagues".

The motion, which was reported in The Times, argues the party has failed to confront “institutionalised misogyny".

It adds the alleged behaviour has been “downplayed, denied or treated as less serious than other forms of oppression".

The motion has been proposed by Peter Thelwell, a former Green council candidate in York, and has urged members to submit anonymised accounts of their experiences.

He has claimed there have been “countless direct accounts” in the last month from women who had left the party or considered doing so “as a result of extraordinary instances of misogyny that have occurred and been minimised".

His motion calls for the party complaints panel to “treat misogyny allegations as seriously as other discrimination".

The motion urges the Greens to “produce accessible educational materials on patriarchy, misogyny, gendered power and intersectionality".

Jennifer Dee Norman-Kerr, who stood in Leeds East at the 2024 general election for the Greens, said female councillors, candidates and local officers had reported “abusive language, intimidation and interference in election campaigns".

She said it had caused “early resignations, withdrawals from participation and fewer women and non-binary people nominating themselves for elections".

A Green spokesman said: “The Green Party makes policy in a democratic way, and all members can submit motions to our conference.

A party source told The Times: “I don't recognise this as an accurate characterisation of the party, either in relation to the situation in Leeds or to the scale of internal complaints relating to misogyny.

“The majority of members respect the confidentiality of our internal investigations and their outcomes, as do I.

“Misogyny is sadly still pervasive across society, and every party and organisation has a responsibility to listen to concerns and keep improving.

“The Green Party takes that responsibility seriously, with internal complaints and disciplinary processes to address allegations of discrimination and misconduct, alongside policies to tackle violence against women and girls, fund domestic abuse support, improve access to childcare and protect reproductive rights.”