Mainstream political party leader just gave 'surprise backing to English independence'

However, newly elected Green Party leader Zack Polanski went a step further, effectively throwing his weight behind English independence.

The firebrand eco-populist said: “I personally support Welsh independence and it only makes sense to me that if Wales Green Party want to go at it alone that we maintain a really friendly relationship, we maintain informal ties, as we do with the Scottish Green Party, we all support each other as one family.

“But we support subsidiarity - power should be at the most local possible level. And that has to include a country.”

Mr Polanski’s support for Scottish and Welsh independence, coupled with his backing for Irish reunification, ultimately makes the Green Party Britain’s only pro-English independence party.

However, when probed by the Abolish Westminster substack about his default support for English independence, the otherwise outspoken London Assembly Member was much more coy.

Mr Polanski said: “It’s not on a personal level something I feel like I want to drive - I think that’s because independence often comes when you feel like you’re being oppressed by a greater power, as an English person, I don’t feel that.

“It’s not the thing I feel motivated to do. Having said that, if the circumstances meant that’s where we were, I think there’s a good opportunity there to create that story.”

Despite displaying some damp patriotism, Mr Polanski said during the Green Party leadership contest that he would not fly a flag of St George on his house outside of major football tournaments.

There is also little support for English independence across the country.

While opinion polls have shown a steady rise in support for the Greens since Mr Polanski replaced Adrian Ramsey and Carla Denyer, surveys have not shown a groundswell of support for English independence.

An opinion poll conducted in 2021 found just 15 per cent of English voters support independence, compared to 60 per cent who voiced support for the Union.

While Mr Polanski has adopted a separatist position, the other major party leaders remain steadfast supporters of the Union.

Mrs Badenoch, who leads the Conservative & Unionist Party, has been talking up North Sea oil as part of her push.

However, despite warning that Mr Farage poses a risk to the Union, Mrs Badenoch raised eyebrows when she appeared to mistakenly suggest Northern Ireland voted for Brexit in 2016.

Meanwhile, Mr Farage has displayed his pro-Union views by expanding his push into both Scotland and Wales.

The Reform UK leader, who sparked fury from Scottish nationalists after hinting he would scrap the Barnett Formula, has ventured up to Hamilton and Caerphilly this year to campaign in key by-election races.

The Liberal Democrats, who have been under the leadership of Sir Ed since 2020, took flag-waving to a new level last month in Bournemouth.

However, Sir Ed has also warned Scottish independence would constitute "Brexit 2.0", having already warned Scots that a vote to leave the UK would send energy bills spiralling.

Sir Keir has found himself in a sticky position when it comes to Unionism.

Having once been a member of a pro-Irish reunification lawyer group, the Haldane Society, the Prime Minister refused to confirm to Ulster Unionist Party MP Robin Swann that he is a Unionst.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman was forced to intervene, declaring Sir Keir is "of course" a Unionist.

GB News has approached Mr Polanski for comment.