The Green Party is reviewing its social media operation as leader Zack Polanski faces backlash over a guillotine-themed Instagram re-post.
The Green Party is reviewing its social media operation after the Zack Polanski row over a guillotine-themed Instagram re-post, a move that comes as the party tries to protect the online reach that helped drive its rise. People familiar with the discussions told the BBC the review is under way, though they said it is not a direct response to this week’s backlash.
The controversy began when Polanski shared a carousel post that included a photo of a man wearing a shirt with a guillotine image and the words “we’re only making plans for Nigel,” which many saw as a reference to Nigel Farage. Polanski, who has 713,000 followers on Instagram, said he did not spot the offending image among the 20 pictures in the post. He told BBC Newsnight he had made “an inadvertent mistake,” but refused to apologise, saying he had not looked carefully enough and had taken the post down once he realised what it contained.
The episode has raised broader questions inside and outside the party about whether a Green Party leader can keep running his own accounts. Unlike most major UK political leaders, Polanski still handles his own social media rather than leaving it to staff. That approach has helped him project a direct and spontaneous style online, but it also leaves him exposed to mistakes when he is reposting material sent by supporters and other users. One party figure called the incident an avoidable error and said Polanski should have apologised.
“The Green Party is reviewing its social media operation as leader Zack Polanski faces backlash over a guillotine-themed Instagram re-post.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the shirt amounted to incitement to murder, and his party reported the matter to police. The Metropolitan Police and Avon and Somerset Police said they did not consider the incident to meet the threshold for further action. The dispute has still kept the story alive, with Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick calling Polanski a “nasty piece of work” at a news conference on Thursday.
Inside the Greens, opinions are split. Baroness Jones, a Green Party peer and former deputy mayor of London, said the criticism seemed to come mainly from opponents rather than from within the party, though she agreed Polanski had made a mistake. She defended his online style as part of what makes him relatable. At the same time, other party sources said the latest row exposed a need for tighter controls, better due diligence and stronger oversight if the party wants to stay credible while keeping its online energy.
The review also comes as the Greens face wider questions about vetting and discipline online, including concerns over antisemitic posts linked to some candidates in recent months. The party has also seen several candidates stand down over social media activity, while two candidates were arrested during May’s local elections and another was suspended after being elected. The Greens say their social media team has grown from one full-time employee a year ago to three or four now, and may expand further. Why this matters to voters is simple: the party’s online reach is a major source of its momentum, and missteps there can quickly become political damage.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Green Party reviewing its social media operation?
The party is reviewing how it handles social media as it tries to protect the online reach that has helped drive its rise. People familiar with the discussions said the review is underway, though not as a direct response to this week’s backlash.
What caused the row involving Zack Polanski?
Polanski reposted a carousel that included a photo of a man wearing a shirt with a guillotine image and the words “we’re only making plans for Nigel.” Many saw that as a reference to Nigel Farage.
How did Polanski respond to the criticism?
He said he did not spot the offending image among the 20 pictures and described it as an “inadvertent mistake.” He refused to apologise, but said he had taken the post down once he realised what it contained.
Did police take action over the post?
Reform UK reported the matter to police, but the Metropolitan Police and Avon and Somerset Police said they did not consider it to meet the threshold for further action.
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