Labour Ends Power-Sharing with Greens in 11 Councils Over Zionism Policy

Labour has ended power-sharing agreements with the Green Party in 11 local councils after the Green Party adopted a policy defining Zionism as a form of racism. Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson stated that the policy “crosses a line and we cannot work with any party that supports it, at any level of government.” The Green Party expressed disappointment, arguing that the move jeopardizes successful partnerships benefiting residents.

In October, Green Party members approved a motion stating Zionism is an ideology supporting an “ethnonationalist Jewish State in historic Palestine” and advocating for a single democratic Palestinian State, including modern-day Israel. This policy has drawn condemnation from Jewish groups and opposition parties, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham previously stating Labour would not partner with the Greens over the “antisemitic” policy. Labour issued an ultimatum to Labour-Green councils, demanding local Greens disown the motion and urging the national leadership to reconsider.

Of 18 authorities with local agreements, Labour said 11 did not meet its criteria for continued cooperation. These include Arun District Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Havant Borough Council, Lewes District Council, Runnymede Borough Council (where cooperation had already ceased), Sheffield City Council, Stafford Borough Council, Warwick District Council, Wealden District Council, West Devon Borough Council, and West Suffolk Council. Agreements remain in place in Broadland, Monmouthshire, North Somerset, Rother, West Oxfordshire, and West Sussex. Cooperation will continue in the West of England mayoralty, where the deputy mayor is a Green member. Green Party leader Zack Polanski has not commented. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has requested more information about the motion to assess its implications.

Background

• The Green Party adopted a policy defining Zionism as a form of racism on October 4th, 2026, by a vote of 1,022 to 813 [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-04].
• Green Party leader Zack Polanski stated he would not overturn the motion until 2028 due to party rules, despite widespread criticism [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-18].
• Prior to this, Labour indicated it would distance itself from Green council groups supporting the policy, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated Labour would not partner with the Greens over it [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-18].
• The Equality and Human Rights Commission has requested information about the Green Party motion to assess its implications [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-18].

Our reading

Our reading is that Labour is prioritizing political expediency over maintaining local power-sharing arrangements. The stated principle of incompatibility with parties supporting a policy Labour deems antisemitic appears to be the driving force, despite the Green Party’s internal struggles with the motion and the potential disruption to local governance. The continuation of cooperation in some areas suggests a calculated approach, limiting the fallout to councils where the Greens were unwilling to disown the policy.

What to watch

• The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s assessment of the Green Party motion, expected in the coming weeks, could further validate or challenge Labour’s framing of the policy [Equality and Human Rights Commission website].
• The outcome of the reviews on disability benefits and young people, due in November, may indicate whether Labour intends to pursue similar principled stances on other contentious issues [Government website].
• Any statement from Green Party leader Zack Polanski regarding the Labour decision, which could signal whether the party intends to amend or defend its position [Green Party website].

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