Zack Polanski Sparks Fresh Row Over Foreign Language Campaign Videos

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has courted fresh controversy after releasing a campaign video in Bengali just days after facing intense criticism for similar Urdu and French stunts. The candidate is standing to replace Sir Keir Starmer in the upcoming Holborn and St Pancras by-election, according to GB News.

The decision by the Green Party leader to target voters using multiple non-English languages has triggered a fierce political row across Westminster. Following earlier interventions recorded in Urdu and French, political opponents have accused the eco-socialist chief of engaging in performative politics and divisive tactics ahead of the October 8 contest.

Backlash From Westminster Rivals

Conservative politicians reacted with fury to the multilingual campaign material. Shadow Housing Secretary Katie Lam launched a scathing attack on social media, arguing that the strategy prevents ordinary constituents from scrutinising political promises.

When candidates campaign in a foreign language, the vast majority of people can’t understand the promises they make. It makes it impossible to hold our would-be representatives to account. We must ban this practice. Politics must be conducted in the language of public life.

— Katie Lam, Shadow Housing Secretary, The Daily Express

Fellow Conservative MP Alicia Kearns also condemned the stunt online, dismissing the multi-language social media broadcasts as preposterous nonsense.

Green Party Defence

In response to the mounting criticism, the Green Party robustly defended the campaign strategy, maintaining that reaching out to diverse urban populations is a positive step for local democracy.

The Greens believe that democracy doesn’t discriminate by languages spoken. Many people are bilingual. Holborn and St Pancras is a true reflection of the diversity of London and of our country and we choose to embrace and celebrate that.

— Green Party Spokesperson, HuffPost UK

The party spokesman added that if candidates want to speak directly to residents who primarily use languages such as Urdu or Bengali, it makes practical sense to address them directly in those tongues.

• Zack Polanski is standing in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
• Videos have been released in Bengali, Urdu, and French.
• Conservative critics have called for a ban on foreign-language campaigning.
• The Green Party insists democracy does not discriminate by language.

As the campaign trail intensifies ahead of polling day, the debate over linguistic cohesion and public accountability in central London looks set to remain a central flashpoint.

Original source: Read the full report at GB News