Green Party sparks fury over ‘mad’ name to ban police Tasers and pepper spray
The Green Party has sparked controversy after a warning that draft conference motions to axe key anti-terror powers and ban Tasers would endanger public safety
Zack Polanski’s Green Party has sparked a row over calls to strip police of Tasers and pepper spray(Image: Getty Images)
Zack Polanski’s Green Party has sparked a row over calls to strip police of Tasers and pepper spray, with critics slamming the “mad” proposals. Documents seen by The Times reportedly show party activists are also keen to scrap the government’s Prevent counter-terror scheme, pull cops out of schools and even close down prisons.
The draft motions, which could be presented at an upcoming party conference, have drawn immediate criticism from Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, who described the Greens’ “latest madness” as a threat to public safety.
Party leader Zack Polanski has now hit back in a post on social media, describing the claims as “misleading”.
The draft motion to ban police tasers has drawn immediate criticism (Image: PA)
He wrote: “In the Green Party, any member can propose a policy. It’s in our constitution, and members decide whether to debate it.
“So when the media presents that as the Green Party ‘proposing’ a policy, they’re misleading you. Worth asking why the billionaire press constantly attacks us.”
Conservative MP Philp said: “The Greens care more about appeasing the anti-police far-left mob than supporting the police and catching criminals. It’s clear they are on the side of lawbreakers, not the law-abiding majority.
Chris Philp described the Greens as ‘a disgrace’ and ‘a danger to the public’(Image: ITV)
“The Green Party have shown themselves to be a disgrace and a danger to the public. They are certainly no longer the harmless badger and whale-loving party they were in the past.”
A Labour Party spokesman said the Greens’ “proposals” were out of touch with the realities of modern policing and the vital work the police do every day.
He added: “These plans would make it harder for the police to stop dangerous criminals and to protect the public from potential future terrorist attacks.”
Responding to the reports, the Green Party said motions were at an early draft stage and the wording was not yet finalised.
The party said more than 150 motions have been submitted ahead of its conference in Brighton in October, meaning it is unlikely all of them will be debated.
A Green Party spokesman said: “Conference is still weeks away and members have only just begun submitting motions.
“There is a prioritisation process, and not every motion submitted will be debated. Only motions passed by conference become Green Party policy.”
