Today in Focus – On the Ground in London as the Greens Surge
The Guardian | May 1, 2026
Host: Helen Pidd
Episode Overview
This episode of Today in Focus dives into the unprecedented surge of the Green Party in London ahead of the local elections. Host Helen Pidd joins Green canvassers and local residents in Hackney—traditionally a Labour stronghold—to understand the factors driving voters away from Labour. Through on-the-ground reporting, interviews with Green candidates, ordinary voters, the incumbent Labour mayor, and political analyst Peter Walker, the episode examines whether the Greens are truly on the cusp of taking council control in London, what issues are capturing voters’ attention, and what this political shift means for London and beyond.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Green Party’s Rising Confidence
- The episode opens at the launch of the Green Party local election campaign in Deptford, southeast London.
- Zack Polanski, Green Party deputy leader, expresses unprecedented optimism:
- “We have tripled our membership, we tripled our poll ratings... We are heading for a new record-breaking result for the Green Party.” (Zack Polanski, 01:23–01:36)
- The party is buoyed by recent by-election results and polling data suggesting a genuine opportunity to win control of several London councils.
Voter Sentiment and Shifting Loyalties
- The reporting moves to Hackney, with the Guardian team shadowing local Green canvasser Rolf, a Dutch expat standing for the Greens:
- “In 2022 I was a paper candidate, a no hoper... Things are very different this time.” (Rolf, 04:03–04:21)
- Doorstep conversations suggest voters are increasingly dissatisfied with Labour:
- Areej, a 21-year-old student: “I’m not going to vote Labour because they’re starting to divert away from what they wanted to do originally... Green is actually doing stuff for Palestine.” (Areej, 05:54–06:15)
- Several interviewees cite Labour’s stance (or lack thereof) on Gaza and Palestine as a key motivator.
Affordability, Housing, & Gentrification
- Housing and rising rents dominate the concerns of Hackney residents.
- Claudio, a young, queer Italian-Canadian, explains:
- “Half of my paycheck goes to my rent... But I just love the neighbourhood so much... But there’s a reality that many people can’t. It is very expensive.” (Claudio, 14:45–15:08)
- Multiple interviewees lament the gentrification of Hackney, with older residents feeling shut out:
- “I always think of people my age that have got kids and their kids can’t afford to live here... Ordinary Hackney people can’t afford to buy or live here.” (Geraldine, 72, 10:08–11:19)
The Green Campaign & Policy Agenda
- Helen speaks with Zoe Garbett, Green councillor and Hackney mayoral hopeful:
- On rent controls: “Increasing rough sleeping and homelessness... People paying that much rent for such small amount of space and... families can’t live here... I just think we need rent controls.” (Zoe Garbett, 17:55–18:29)
- Garbett acknowledges that local leaders don’t currently have the legal power to set rent controls but insists pressing for them is vital.
- On Green drugs policy (legalisation and a public health approach):
- Zoe responds to Labour attack ads calling them “horrendous scapegoating,” clarifying: “Our drug policy is about taking a public health approach... It really infuriates me.” (Zoe Garbett, 21:28–22:09)
- Zoe also addresses Green strategy: “At the beginning... people used to just be like, oh, you want to talk to me about the environment? ... Now we just get people at the door saying, oh, of course I’m voting Green.” (16:35–17:17)
Skepticism and Strategic Voting
- Some voters remain cautious, seeing the Greens as a “protest vote,” suspicious of long-term commitments:
- “I’ve always voted Labour, but really quite disenfranchised. Now is the time to make it obvious... rather than optimism in the Green Party itself.” (Floss, 22:33)
- Others worry the Greens’ left-populist shift may not last:
- “In 10 years are they going to be a left-wing party?” (Floss, 23:14)
Labour’s Perspective
- Interview with incumbent Labour mayor Caroline Woodley, who maintains Labour is still delivering for Hackney despite voter frustrations:
- “I understand how frustrated they are. I understand that everybody’s really worried about the cost of living... But we really represent the people of Hackney, be at the table and get things.” (Caroline Woodley, 24:16–25:12)
- Woodley defends Labour’s record on poverty and investment but distances herself somewhat from national Labour’s immigration approach.
- “I’ve already pushed back on some of the proposals that Shabana Mahmood brought forward… I think what the central government doing on the whole is looking to lift people out of poverty and they’re getting that right.” (Caroline Woodley, 25:46–26:12)
- On Keir Starmer: “I think he’s made some mistakes and he’ll admit that.” (26:30–26:34)
Bigger Picture: The Green Surge and National Politics
- Peter Walker, senior political correspondent, reflects on the significance of the Green surge:
- “It would be a massive thing… These councils have been one-party Labour states for about a decade… It would be a wake-up call. For a lot of Labour MPs, they’d be thinking, oh my goodness, there’s no such thing as a safe Labour seat anymore.” (Peter Walker, 28:26–29:24)
- London’s role as a Labour stronghold is under threat; morale and party identity are at stake.
- The party-political landscape is fragmenting, with more tactical and protest votes:
- “We no longer have a two-party state, but we’re going to have 650 different two-party battles.” (Peter Walker, 31:20–31:35)
The Green Party’s Internal Evolution
- Success may force the Greens to professionalise:
- “There is this almost philosophical question, can you run a mainstream party… in the way that the Greens run?... If you have 150 MPs, that becomes more tricky… They might have to sit back and think: can we go on to the next stage as we are, or do we need to change?” (Peter Walker, 31:57–34:04)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “We’re going to have a bright, green, hopeful London.” (Green candidate, 01:44)
- “You can walk down the road now, you know, not thinking twice... But this Labour’s definitely gotta go. Change is good, change for the better.” (Ozzy, cafe owner, 07:58–08:28)
- “Labour’s controlled the council for all but six or so years since its foundation in the 1960s. And yet you really think that you guys in the Greens have got a chance this time?” —“Yeah.” (Helen Pidd & Zoe Garbett, 16:17–16:35)
- “You know, it obviously brings a lot of powers that he’s made this his number one target. So that has made it pretty spicy around here.” (Caroline Woodley, 26:48–27:15)
- “Nothing does better for a political party than showing you can win, particularly under first past the post. People don’t want to waste their votes.” (Peter Walker, 32:29–32:39)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:52–01:48: The Greens’ campaign launch, Polanski’s speech.
- 03:05–05:01: On the ground in Hackney—door-knocking and first voter impressions.
- 05:11–07:05: Conversation with Areej, discussing Gaza, Labour, and the Greens.
- 07:05–11:19: Voices from Hackney: Ozzy (cafe owner), Geraldine (older resident).
- 12:19–15:22: Claudio on queer community, gentrification, and housing costs.
- 15:32–22:09: Interview with Zoe Garbett, Green strategy, rent controls, and drugs policy.
- 23:32–23:27: Voter skepticism and “protest vote” (Floss).
- 23:32–27:15: With Labour mayor Caroline Woodley, defending Labour record, discussing voter disillusionment.
- 28:03–34:04: Peter Walker—national context, party fragmentation, the Greens’ existential challenge.
Conclusion & Big Picture
This episode paints a vivid portrait of political mood on the streets of Hackney and across London. Housing, affordability, and disillusionment with Labour—especially over Palestine and Keir Starmer’s leadership—are fuelling a Green surge that is no longer just a protest but seen as a viable alternative. The Greens’ openness to ambitious reforms on housing and drugs, coupled with their image as “outsiders,” is attracting protest voters and those with genuinely left-leaning aspirations.
Yet, the party faces tough questions about professionalisation, maintaining internal coherence, and surviving as a serious political force once protest turns to power. For Labour, losing its heartland would be both a symbolic and practical blow in the run-up to the national election. As Peter Walker concludes, if the Greens make their breakthrough, “it would be a nice problem to have.”
For more detailed coverage, visit theguardian.com or follow Today in Focus.
