Zack Polanski elected Green Party of England and Wales leader

Zack Polanski, a London Assembly member and former deputy leader, was elected leader of the Green Party of England and Wales on Tuesday, winning a landslide victory that party officials said was announced at an event in central London. Polanski received 20,411 votes from party members, compared with 3,705 for the joint campaign of incumbent co leader Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns, according to the tally released after voting closed on August 30.

In a victory speech, Mr Polanski thanked members and pledged to "work every single day to grow this party" while promising to pursue environmental, social, racial and economic justice. He also addressed those who did not back him, saying in part, "We do not have to agree on everything. We just have to have common cause." The result was greeted with cheers at the announcement event, party officials said.

The contest, which opened for nominations on June 2, became closely watched as the Greens seek to present themselves as a serious progressive alternative to Labour following the party's growth to four MPs in the House of Commons. Voting was open to members who had joined by the end of July, and officials said it took place among the...