Ramsay Urges Green Party to Refocus on Core Values

Former Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay has warned that the party faces a critical political decision following controversy over its position on Zionism. Speaking to the BBC, the Waveney Valley MP urged party leaders to prioritize broader public support and environmental policies rather than pursue positions that could deepen internal divisions. The dispute follows a policy motion adopted by Green Party of England and Wales members last month.

The decision triggered criticism from Jewish organizations, senior Green politicians and other political figures. Ramsay believes the party must reconsider its direction and concentrate on its established principles. He described the current situation as a

"crossroads" said Ramsay, the former Green Party co-leader.

He also called for renewed attention to the party's "core values" said Ramsay.

The former co-leader argued that the party should develop policies capable of attracting support beyond its existing political base. He warned against approaches that could alienate potential supporters. "environmental changes that we need" said Ramsay.

He also cautioned against political positions that risk becoming "quite divisive" said Ramsay. Ramsay served as Green Party co-leader from 2021 to 2025 alongside Carla Denyer, who is also an MP. He joined the party in 1998 and represents Waveney Valley.

Addressing the controversy directly, Ramsay rejected the suggestion that Zionism itself is racist. However, he expressed strong opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza.

"no, it's not" said Ramsay when asked whether he considered Zionism racist. He also described the situation in Gaza as "appalling" said Ramsay.

Ramsay confirmed that he believes Israel has a right to exist, a position Zack Polanski has stopped short of explicitly endorsing. He also said he was

"deeply uncomfortable" said Ramsay, referring to the party's adopted motion. He suggested the party could address the controversy before its spring conference next year. Ramsay described this as an

"opportunity to take some action in relation to the motion in the run-up" said Ramsay. Explaining the choices facing the party, Ramsay warned that continuing along its current political direction could create further divisions and encourage internal disputes.

"I think there's a real crossroads point for the party at the moment. One option is to sort of dig in more down this approach, not only in relation to this motion, but I think that there's a risk it brings with it - a quite divisive, a quite internally focused approach to politics." said Ramsay. He also raised concerns about political influence from groups operating within different parties, describing them as "perhaps seen from small groups of people on the hard left of politics who go around different parties try to influence how those parties are run" said Ramsay.

Instead, Ramsay wants the Greens to strengthen their original political priorities and reconnect with ordinary members.

"What I want to see is the party really focus back in on our core aims as a party and our core values." said Ramsay. He emphasized the importance of building agreement within the party and involving its grassroots membership. "consensus-building in how we approach our politics" said Ramsay.

He added that the party must ensure

"we engage the grassroots of our membership" said Ramsay. Ramsay also stressed that environmental policy should remain central to the Greens' political strategy, arguing that meaningful changes require broad public backing.

"very externally focused, because we're only going to be able to bring the environmental changes that we need to have to safeguard our society for now and for the future if the majority of the British public come behind that" said Ramsay. Polanski responded to the criticism by defending the connection between environmental protection and wider social equality.

"no environmental justice without social, racial and economic justice" said Polanski, the Green Party leader. The controversial motion defined Zionism as an ideology supporting "an ethnonationalist Jewish state" the motion stated.

It also described the consequences for Palestinians as

"disenfranchisement and destruction" the motion stated. The policy additionally supported establishing a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine" the motion stated.

Polanski did not participate in the conference vote because he was campaigning in a Westminster by-election. He previously acknowledged that the motion was

"imperfect" said Polanski. Nevertheless, he defended what he considered its central position, describing the displacement and genocide of Palestinians as being rooted in racism.

He called this "substantial part of the motion" said Polanski.

He also characterized the underlying ideology as "the displacement and genocide of the Palestinian people is clearly underpinned by a racist ideology" said Polanski. Israel has repeatedly denied that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide. The controversy has prompted wider political and institutional responses. Israel's foreign ministry announced that Polanski, who is Jewish, had been barred from entering the country.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission also contacted the Green Party seeking further information after concerns were raised by dozens of Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs and Jewish campaigners.

Labour subsequently said it would end power-sharing arrangements with Green councillors on local councils unless they rejected the controversial policy. Under Green Party rules, motions approved by members become official party policy, although their inclusion in the party's manifesto for the next general election is not guaranteed.