UK Green Party Leader Questions Party Process After Zionism Vote
Ellie Chowns is the Green Party's Westminster leader. She wanted to stop extremists and racists from taking control.
Her remarks came after a claim by former Green leader Caroline Lucas. Lucas said some people joined to vote in the Zionism motion.
The dispute over the policy vote was still continuing. Chowns said the result showed the party's processes were not working.
Just over 1000 members voted for the "Zionism is racism" policy. That share is about 0.4% of all party members.
Around 800 voted against it. Zionism is described as the movement for a Jewish state.
The party decided last week to treat it as racism. The motion backed one Palestinian state instead of two states.
Chowns criticized Green Party leader Zack Polanski. He missed the conference debate and vote.
Polanski later said he would have supported only an amended motion. Polanski also faced criticism after losing the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
Key Terms 3
- Zionism Movement that supports a Jewish state.
- Westminster Refers to the UK Parliament in London.
- by-election A local vote held to fill one empty seat in Parliament.