Few political roles spark as much curiosity as the title “Green Party leader” — partly because the answer changes depending on which side of the Irish Sea you ask. In England and Wales, the party just elected a former comedian turned London Assembly member, while in Ireland a cabinet minister took the reins of a party helping run the national government.
Current Green Party Leaders (UK & Ireland): 3 ·
Years since first Green Party leader in Ireland: 43 ·
Number of Green Party TDs in Ireland (2025): 12 ·
Green Party of England and Wales members: 54,000+ ·
Zack Polanski tenure start: September 2024
Quick snapshot
- Zack Polanski is leader of the Green Party of England and Wales (Green Party of England and Wales official site)
- Roderic O’Gorman is leader of the Green Party in Ireland (BBC News)
- The Green Party has 12 TDs in the Dáil (Wikipedia)
- The exact date in 2024 when Roderic O’Gorman officially became leader is not specified in available sources
- Total Green Party membership numbers in Ireland are not publicly confirmed
- Zack Polanski’s exact vote percentage in the 2025 leadership election is not independently reported
- Zack Polanski became leader September 2024; led party to first Westminster by-election win in February 2026 (Green Party announcement)
- Roderic O’Gorman succeeded Eamon Ryan in July 2024 and was re-elected unopposed in May 2025 (Wikipedia)
- Polanski will lead the party into the next UK general election with a strengthened parliamentary presence
- O’Gorman’s leadership will be tested as coalition partners ahead of the next Irish general election
Here are the key facts about current Green Party leaders.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Current UK Leader | Zack Polanski |
| Current Ireland Leader | Roderic O’Gorman |
| UK Party Founded | 1990 (Green Party of England and Wales) |
| Ireland Party Founded | 1981 |
| UK Leader Since | September 2024 |
| Ireland Leader Since | 2024 |
| Number of Green Party TDs (Ireland) | 12 (as of 2025) |
| Notable Win Under Polanski | First Westminster by-election victory (2026) |
Who is the current Green Party leader in the UK?
Zack Polanski: Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
- Zack Polanski became leader in September 2024, succeeding the joint leadership of Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay (Green Party of England and Wales official announcement).
- He won with the largest number of votes ever cast in a party leadership election (Green Party of England and Wales report).
- Polanski had served as Deputy Leader since 2022 before taking the top role (Green Party of England and Wales people page).
- He is a member of the London Assembly and chairs its Fire Committee (Green Party official profile).
How is the Green Party leader chosen?
The Green Party of England and Wales elects its leader through a vote of all party members. Zack Polanski won the 2025 leadership election with the largest number of votes ever cast in a party leadership contest (Green Party announcement).
How long has the current Green Party leader been in office?
Zack Polanski took office in September 2024, meaning he has been leader for just over a year as of early 2025. He was re-elected in September 2025 (Green Party announcement).
Green Party leadership in Scotland and Northern Ireland
- The Green Party of England and Wales is a separate entity from the Scottish Greens and the Green Party in Northern Ireland (Wikipedia).
- Each branch has its own leadership structure and party constitution.
- Polanski leads only the England and Wales branch, not a unified UK-wide party.
The pattern: The Green Party label in the UK is a federation, not a single organisation. Polanski’s influence is real, but it stops at the Scottish border.
The implication: Polanski’s leadership marks a new phase for the party, but its electoral ceiling remains untested.
Who is the Green Party leader in Ireland?
Roderic O’Gorman: Current leader of the Green Party (Ireland)
- Roderic O’Gorman became leader of the Green Party in Ireland on 8 July 2024, succeeding Eamon Ryan (BBC News).
- He defeated Pippa Hackett in the leadership contest, with reported votes of 984 for O’Gorman and 912 for Hackett (Wikipedia).
- O’Gorman was re-elected unopposed as leader on 1 May 2025 (Wikipedia).
- He serves as Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in the coalition government (BBC News).
The Green Party’s role in the Irish government
- The Green Party is part of the coalition government in Ireland (Wikipedia).
- The party holds 12 TDs in the Dáil as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
- O’Gorman’s leadership is tied to the government’s performance, making his position both powerful and precarious.
The trade-off: O’Gorman leads a party with real cabinet power — but that also means sharing responsibility for unpopular coalition decisions, something a party with no seats doesn’t have to worry about.
Who were the previous Green Party leaders in Ireland?
Timeline of Green Party leaders in Ireland
- Trevor Sargent became the first leader of the Green Party in Ireland in 2001 (Wikipedia).
- John Gormley served as leader from 2007 to 2011 (Wikipedia).
- Eamon Ryan led the party from 2011 to 2024, the longest-serving leader in the party’s history (BBC News).
Timeline signal
- – Green Party founded in Ireland (Wikipedia).
- – Trevor Sargent becomes first leader (Wikipedia).
- – John Gormley becomes leader (Wikipedia).
- – Eamon Ryan becomes leader (BBC News).
- – Zack Polanski becomes leader of Green Party of England and Wales (Green Party announcement).
- – Roderic O’Gorman becomes leader of Green Party in Ireland (BBC News).
- – Polanski leads party to first Westminster by-election victory (BBC News).
The pattern: Each leadership change in Ireland has coincided with a shift in the party’s electoral fortunes — Gormley took the party into government for the first time, Ryan rebuilt it after a devastating 2011 election, and O’Gorman now steers it through coalition politics.
Who is Zack Polanski?
Zack Polanski’s political career
- Zack Polanski was born David Paulden in 1982 and worked as an actor and comedian before entering politics (Wikipedia).
- He became Deputy Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales in 2022 (Green Party official page).
- Polanski led the Green Party to its first Westminster by-election victory in February 2026 (BBC News).
- He advocates an assertive ‘eco-populism’ style in public messaging (BBC News).
Zack Polanski’s background and policies
- Polanski has said, “We are here to replace you,” in reference to the Labour Party (BBC News).
- He chairs the London Assembly Fire Committee and sits on economy and budget committees (Green Party official profile).
- His background as a performer gives him a different public profile than most party leaders.
The catch: Polanski’s media-friendly style gets attention, but the party’s real test will be converting that into seats under a first-past-the-post system that historically punishes smaller parties.
What is the list of Green Party TDs?
Current Green Party TDs in Ireland
- The Green Party has 12 TDs in the Dáil as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
- Green Party TDs include ministers and junior ministers in the coalition government.
- The parliamentary party is led by the party leader, currently Roderic O’Gorman.
What this means: With 12 TDs, the Green Party holds the balance of power in a coalition, giving its leader a seat at the cabinet table — a position no Green leader in the UK currently enjoys.
Is the Green Party leader a woman?
Female leaders in Green Party history
- The current Green Party leader in the UK is a man (Zack Polanski).
- The current Green Party leader in Ireland is a man (Roderic O’Gorman).
- The Green Party has had female leaders in the past, including in Scotland and at local levels.
- The Scottish Greens have had female co-leaders, including Lorna Slater as co-leader from 2021 (Wikipedia).
The pattern: Gender representation in Green leadership varies by jurisdiction. While neither current major leader is a woman, the party has shown willingness to elect female leaders at different levels.
How do the two leaders compare?
The following table compares the two leaders across key dimensions.
| Attribute | Zack Polanski (England & Wales) | Roderic O’Gorman (Ireland) |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales | Leader of the Green Party (Ireland) |
| Start date | September 2024 (elected); September 2025 (re-elected) | 8 July 2024 |
| Previous role | Deputy Leader (2022-2024) | Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
| Government role | No government role (opposition) | Cabinet minister in coalition government |
| Parliamentary seats | 2 Westminster seats (prior to by-election win) | 12 TDs in the Dáil |
| Leadership style | Eco-populism, assertive public messaging | Coalition-focused, policy-driven |
The implication: O’Gorman leads from within government, wielding real policy influence. Polanski leads from opposition, using media presence and electoral breakthroughs to build momentum. Each faces very different constraints and opportunities.
Related reading: Catherine Connolly: Biography of Ireland’s Independent President
en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, linkedin.com, metrobulletin.uk, pl.wikipedia.org, de.wikipedia.org, torontoedition.com
For a comprehensive overview of both current and past Green Party leaders in the UK and Ireland, this article provides a detailed timeline and FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Green Party in the UK and Ireland?
The Green Party in the UK is actually three separate parties: the Green Party of England and Wales, the Scottish Greens, and the Green Party in Northern Ireland. The Green Party in Ireland is a single party operating across the Republic of Ireland, and it is currently part of the coalition government.
How does the Green Party leader in the UK get elected?
The Green Party of England and Wales elects its leader through a vote of all party members. Zack Polanski won the 2025 leadership election with the largest number of votes ever cast in a party leadership contest.
What are the main policies of the Green Party leader in Ireland?
Roderic O’Gorman’s leadership focuses on climate action, social equality, and maintaining the Green Party’s influence within the coalition government. He has described the party’s policies as extremely similar to those of Green parties elsewhere.
Has the Green Party ever had a female leader?
Yes. While neither current major leader is a woman, the Scottish Greens have had female co-leaders, including Lorna Slater, and women have held leadership roles at local and regional levels.
What is the Green Party’s position on climate change?
Climate action remains the core policy area for all Green parties. Under both Polanski and O’Gorman, the parties advocate for accelerated emissions reductions, investment in renewable energy, and stronger environmental regulations.
How many members does the Green Party have in the UK?
The Green Party of England and Wales has more than 54,000 members. Membership numbers for the Scottish Greens and the Green Party in Northern Ireland are not included in that figure.
What is the Green Party’s stance on the European Union?
The Green Party of England and Wales supports rejoining the EU. The Green Party in Ireland supports continued Irish membership in the EU.
“We are here to replace you.”
— Zack Polanski, in reference to the Labour Party (BBC News)
“Public discussion on immigration often lumps everything together and says there are ‘too many’.”
— Roderic O’Gorman (Dublin People)
Two Green leaders, two very different political realities. O’Gorman negotiates coalition compromises while Polanski plays insurgent. For voters in the UK, the choice is between a Green leader offering radical opposition and one offering the messy work of government — and neither path guarantees electoral success.
Green Party leadership across these islands is not one story but several. The role a Green leader plays — opposition firebrand or coalition partner — shapes everything from policy priorities to public perception. For anyone tracking the party’s influence, the geography of leadership matters as much as the person in the role. For voters wondering which Green leader speaks for them, the answer depends on where they live. For Polanski, opposition purity offers limited influence; for O’Gorman, government power requires compromise.
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Henry Morgan is Senior Reporter at Media Grid UK, covering breaking stories and community-sourced tips across the UK.