Zack Polanski open to teaming up with Labour to keep Nigel Farage out of No10

They suggested Mr Polanski is willing to work with other parties, including Labour, to achieve his aim - but only if Sir Keir Starmer is replaced as leader.

Associates say the Green leader said "I couldn't live with myself" should Mr Farage win the next General Election without having exhausted every avenue to thwart Reform's ambitions.

Mr Polanski yesterday said Labour’s unpopularity meant he was more concerned about stopping voters choosing Reform than peeling them away from Sir Keir's party after welcoming the defection of five London councillors to his party.

He told a press conference in Wembley: "I think they are broken, and I think we’re ready to bury them.

"I think the real challenge really is, how do we make sure people don’t pick up on the politics of hate and division that Reform are offering?"

Mr Polanski has criticised a number of Sir Keir's policies, so removing him from the helm of the party would be crucial to any cooperation.

The fact that the Prime Minister is facing a mounting internal threat will be music to his ears.

Sir Keir's gloomy poll ratings have led to rumours of a potential leadership challenge from Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood, who potentially could oust him.

Mr Polanski has suggested a more left-wing approach to the party, under the guise of Mr Burnham or a returning Angela Rayner, would be a more attractive opportunity for the Greens.

But, a senior Green official laid bare that their priority remains on halting the momentum of Mr Farage and Reform.

"At the general election, stopping Farage is the most important objective," the official said.

"We expect to be the main challengers to Reform, but of course we are open to discussing what options exist to help in that central mission of stopping Farage."

For now, the Greens remain focused on a local level. On Monday, Sir Keir was hit with a defection deluge as five Labour councillors joined Mr Polanski's party.

Mr Polanski said that the defections are "just the start", adding: "Good Labour councillors can see Labour has abandoned any sense of progressive politics and is showing absolute cowardice in its doomed attempt to out-Reform Reform with the politics of division and scapegoating.

"Increasingly, people are finding the alternative they need by joining the Green Party and working for a better world shaped by hope rather than fear.

"In the elections in May, it is the Greens who will be taking the fight to Reform and we show our intent today in Brent."

Green Party membership has surged to more than 180,000 under Mr Polanski, who was elected leader in September when membership was at 70,000.

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