Green Party MP Ellie Chowns has stated her desire to ensure the party is not "vulnerable to capture by extremists and racists." This comes amid ongoing discussions following a vote on a "Zionism is racism" policy.
The party is facing scrutiny over its decision last week to adopt a policy that treats Zionism, the movement for a Jewish state, as a form of racism. The policy also backs a single Palestinian state over a two-state solution. The motion passed at the annual party conference with just over 1,000 votes, which is approximately 0.4% of the total membership.
Ellie Chowns, the party leader in the House of Commons, said the passing of such a "significant and damaging policy" in this manner indicates that the party's structures and policy-making processes are not functioning effectively. She told BBC Radio 4 Today Programme that she does not believe the "Zionism is racism" policy represents the majority of Green Party members or the public.
Zack Polanski, the Green leader for England and Wales, received just under 33% of the vote in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection on Friday. He has insisted he will remain as leader despite calls for him to resign. Polanski stated that he would have voted against the motion if he had attended the conference, citing the rejection of two amendments he supported regarding the future structure of a Palestinian state.