Zack Polanski has condemned Sir Keir Starmer’s “high on drugs, soft on Putin” PMQs jibe as “beneath the office of the prime minister”.
The Green Party leader denounced the comments as “disgraceful”, as he criticised Sir Keir for deploying “cheap jokes” on serious issues during Prime Minister’s Questions last month.
Sir Keir launched a scathing attack on the Greens and accused Mr Polanski of wanting to negotiate with Vladimir Putin to give up nuclear weapons.
In October last year, Mr Polanski told the BBC he wants to legalise all drugs, calling for an approach “led by public health experts” rather than politicians. He has also advocated leaving Nato.
In an appearance on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Mr Polanski said of the PM’s remarks: “To have Keir Starmer making cheap jokes – delivered badly by the way – from the despatch box was pretty disgraceful,” he said.
“This is a prime minister who is subservient to Donald Trump, a man who says they admire Vladimir Putin while shaming [Volodymyr] Zelensky in the White House.
“Defence is a really serious issue. There is no bigger priority for a government or for a leader of a political party than to defend the people of this country.
“And to make jokes about Putin and Russia, I think is pretty vile.”
Mr Polanski also explained his position on the legalisation of drugs.
“There are thousands and thousands of unnecessary deaths from drug harm and from dangerous drugs, and actually what we need is a public health approach,” he said.
“So when I talk about legalising drugs, the key bit is it’s about legalising and regulating. If someone has a problematic relationship to drugs, then surely the answer is, make sure they’re seen by a medical health professional who can help them.”
Mr Polanski was also asked about his Westminster ambitions, and confirmed he will “absolutely be going for” a parliamentary seat in London when one comes up.
“I live in London,” Mr Polanski said when asked why he was not standing at the Gorton and Denton by-election.
“I’m a Mancunian. I’ve been in London for about 20 years, and the Green Party really believes in nurturing local talent and really lifting up someone from the community.
“And when a seat comes up in London, I’ll absolutely be going for it.”
Mr Polanski said last Friday there were “just days to stop Reform” as he unveiled councillor Hannah Spencer, a 34-year-old plumber, as the Green Party candidate for the Greater Manchester constituency.
