Labour Ends Cooperation With Greens in 11 Councils Over Zionism Policy 2026

Labour has announced it will end cooperation with the Green Party in 11 councils across England after Green councillors refused to disown a controversial policy stating that "Zionism is racism." The move follows an ultimatum from Labour for local Green groups to condemn the motion passed at the Green Party conference last month, which also called for a single Palestinian state in place of Israel.

The decision marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two parties and raises questions about the future of local governance in several areas. Labour said coalitions or other deals with Greens would stop in all local authorities where they had refused to condemn the policy.

Which Councils Are Affected by the Labour-Green Split?

According to Labour, cooperation will cease in Arun, Derbyshire Dales, Havant, Lewes, Sheffield, Stafford, Warwick, Wealden, West Devon, and West Suffolk councils. In Runnymede, cooperation had already stopped because of the motion.

However, deals will remain in place in Broadland, Monmouthshire, North Somerset, Rother, West Oxfordshire, and West Sussex, where six Green council groups have condemned the motion. The same applies to the West of England mayoralty, where the mayor is from Labour and the deputy mayor is a Green.

• 11 councils will see Labour end cooperation with the Greens.
• Runnymede had already stopped cooperation due to the motion.
• 6 Green groups condemned the motion, preserving deals in their areas.
• Bridget Phillipson, Labour chair, said the motion "crosses a line."
• The Greens said they are "hugely disappointed" and warn of worse outcomes for residents.

Why Labour Took Action Against the Greens

Bridget Phillipson, the Labour chair, said the party had been clear that the motion "crosses a line and we cannot work with any party that supports it – at any level of government." The motion has been met with unease by some Greens and faced significant outside condemnation.

Labour's decision is a direct response to the Green Party's adoption of the policy, which equates Zionism with racism. The move is likely to have significant implications for local alliances and could reshape council dynamics in the affected areas.

The Green Party's Response to Labour's Decision

The Greens said they were "hugely disappointed" at the move, arguing it would result in worse outcomes for residents in affected areas. The party has not indicated whether it will reconsider the motion.

The split highlights growing divisions within UK politics over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and raises questions about the boundaries of acceptable discourse within political parties.

What This Means for Local Governance

The end of cooperation in these 11 councils could lead to political instability and affect local decision-making. In some areas, Labour and the Greens had worked together to form majorities or pass budgets.

The move also signals Labour's determination to distance itself from the Greens ahead of future elections, as it seeks to present a unified stance on foreign policy issues.

Political Fallout and Wider Implications

The decision is part of a broader fallout from the Green Party's motion, which has sparked fierce debate within and outside the party. Labour's move to distance itself from the Greens could have implications for future electoral pacts and alliances.

As reported in our coverage of Labour councils being told to end Green Party agreements, the ultimatum was clear: condemn the motion or lose cooperation. This latest development shows Labour is willing to follow through on that threat.

The former Greens co-leader has also urged councils to reject the Zionism policy, reflecting internal divisions within the Green Party over the issue. The controversy has put the Greens under pressure to clarify their position. The background to this story is set out in Ex-Greens Co-Leader Urges Councils to Reject Zionism Policy. A related thread runs through Labour Councils Told to End Green Party Agreements Over Zionism Policy. Earlier coverage in Green Party Adopts Controversial Policy Equating Zionism with Racism shows how the argument developed.

For a deeper understanding of the debate, see our explainer on what Zionism is and why some critics call it racist. The motion has also been described as threatening Jewish identity, adding another layer to the controversy. A closer look at the same subject appears in Green Party's 'Zionism is Racism' Motion Sparks Political Firestorm. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Green Politics Future: Beyond the Green Party for Climate Action. The same theme surfaces in Green Party Zionism Racism Motion Sparks Fierce Debate, which takes a different angle.

As the political firestorm continues, all eyes will be on how the Green Party responds and whether other parties follow Labour's lead in isolating the Greens over this policy. Context on how this played out before sits in Labour Rules Out Working With Greens After Zionism Vote. A companion piece, Green Party Anti-Zionism Motion Threatens Jewish Identity, approaches the same subject from another angle.