Zarah Sultana was asked recently about the difference between Your Party and the Greens. Her reply was that she was in a socialist party.

Polanski’s widely reported response to this was to say that the Greens already had a number of socialist policies. He just didn’t like to talk about socialism because it “switched people off”.

While the Greens’ move to the left must be welcomed, green parties have never been, and are unlikely to become truly socialist.

The “socialist” policies mentioned by Polanski are definitely progressive, and will be supported by socialists. But they will never come anywhere close to a platform for a just transition away from fossil fuels and a restoration of the planet.

The record of Green parties in Europe is not inspiring. They are often prepared to work in alliance with right-wing, pro-capitalist parties, happily watering down their own policies. Polanski has been very critical of Starmer era Labour’s policies, and has said he is open to working with “Your Party”.

Depending on the results of the next national elections, the Greens could well be faced with a choice between governing together with Labour and the LibDems, or remaining in opposition together with Your Party. If they follow the examples of European green parties, they would choose joining a Labour government.

Are people really “switched off” by the term socialism? Maybe some are. But millions are not. Even in the USA, the heartland of world capitalism, Bernie Sanders won millions of votes while calling himself a democratic socialist.

The rise of “populism”, both left and right, is a reflection of profound disillusion with the political establishment. Instead of apologising for the term, socialists must explain what socialism really means, and how we are working towards it.

Sultana’s claim that she was in a socialist party may be premature. We know very little about what Your Party’s policies will be. But there will undoubtedly be many socialists inside the party, campaigning for real socialism.

Rob Dyer