The Green Party of England and Wales has achieved a historic breakthrough in the 2026 local elections, prompting co-leader Zack Polanski to declare that Britain's two-party politics is "dead and buried." The party secured its first ever directly elected mayor in Hackney, won outright control of three councils, and added 184 new council seats across the country, reshaping the political landscape.
Speaking at the Hackney count centre in east London, Polanski framed the results as a clear realignment. "It is very clear that the new politics is the Green party versus Reform," he said. "I said that the Green party were going to replace Labour. That’s exactly what we did in Gorton and Denton, it’s what we’ve done in Hackney, and we’re seeing that right across the country."
Historic Mayoral and Council Victories
The most symbolic victory came in Hackney, where Green candidate Zoë Garbett unseated Labour after 24 years of control, winning 35,720 votes to Labour's 26,865. "Across London and the country, people have made it clear that they are desperate for an alternative to this failing Labour government," Garbett said. Hours later, Liam Shrivastava was elected mayor of Lewisham, giving the Greens two London borough mayors in a single day.
Beyond London, the Greens won outright majorities in Norwich and Hastings, and took Waltham Forest from Labour — the party's first council in the capital. In Hastings, the Greens gained 10 additional seats while Labour lost seven of its nine councillors. Council leader Glenn Haffenden called the results "beyond our wildest dreams," attributing success to responsible local budgeting and Zack Polanski's national leadership.
National Context and Reform Challenge
With 258 council seats declared by early evening, the Green surge came as Labour suffered heavy losses and the Conservatives endured another disappointing set of results. Polanski positioned his party as the primary opposition to Reform UK, arguing that the old Labour-Conservative duopoly is finished. Political analyst Prof Tony Travers of the London School of Economics noted that while the Greens made major gains, their performance in London was slightly below expectations, with momentum "fizzling out slightly" in some parts of the capital.
Nevertheless, the party also won seats in the Scottish and Welsh parliaments for the first time, marking a truly UK-wide breakthrough. The results suggest that voters are increasingly turning to the Greens as a credible alternative on issues ranging from the cost-of-living crisis to climate action and local governance.
Key Takeaways from the 2026 Local Elections
- First elected mayor in Hackney (Zoë Garbett) and Lewisham (Liam Shrivastava)
- Three councils won outright: Norwich, Hastings, and Waltham Forest
- 184 new council seats across England
- First seats in Scottish and Welsh parliaments
- Green vs Reform framed as the new political battleground
What This Means for British Politics
Political experts see the Green surge as a symptom of deep dissatisfaction with the two main parties. Labour's losses in traditional strongholds like Hackney and Hastings indicate that the party's national strategy is failing to connect with local voters. Meanwhile, the Conservatives continue to hemorrhage support to both Reform and the Greens.
For Zack Polanski, the results validate a long-term strategy of building grassroots credibility. "It’s not old politics versus new parties. This is about a system of fear versus a movement of hope," Zoë Garbett said. The coming months will test whether the Greens can sustain this momentum into the next general election, but for now, the party is celebrating its most successful electoral day ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Zack Polanski say about two-party politics?
Polanski declared Britain's two-party politics "dead and buried" after the Greens won their first mayoral election and gained 184 council seats. He argued that the new political divide is between the Greens and Reform UK, not Labour and the Conservatives.
Which councils did the Green Party win outright?
The Greens won outright majorities in Norwich, Hastings, and Waltham Forest. In Hastings, they gained 10 seats while Labour lost seven of its nine councillors. They also won the mayoralties of Hackney and Lewisham.
How did the Greens perform in Scotland and Wales?
For the first time, the Green Party won seats in both the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Parliament, marking a significant expansion beyond England. This UK-wide success underscores the party's growing national appeal.
