Green Party Leader Zack Polanski Says Open Borders Not Pragmatic Policy Currently
Green Party leader Zack Polanski told Sky News in Calais that open borders are not a pragmatic policy at present and are not in the party manifesto. Polanski described open borders as a long-term, hypothetical goal rather than current policy, and noted it is often used as an opposition attack line.
The Greens’ manifesto last year did not mention open borders; instead, it called for ending the hostile environment, expanding safe and legal routes, and abolishing the Home Office in favor of a Department of Migration. Polanski argued that open borders would require massive international agreements and cooperation and is not a near-term discussion.
He supports a fair and managed migration system and said there should be a separate conversation on economic migration. He emphasized that asylum seekers should be able to work and pay taxes, highlighting the NHS has 100,000 vacancies and that 1 in 5 care workers are foreign nationals, while also advocating training for British workers. Polanski stated he would not apologise for controversial comments about care workers made on Question Time, affirming he is grateful for their work and that his remarks were made in a hostile panel context.
Polanski travelled to Calais to witness migrant arrivals firsthand and to counter misinformation, advocating a compassionate, fair, and managed response to small-boat migration.
