Green Party wants to make sure it is 'not vulnerable to extremists'
The UK Green Party is seeking to reform its internal structures to prevent 'entryism' and extremist influence following a controversial motion that labeled Zionism as racism. Party leadership expressed concern that a small minority of members could push policies that do not reflect the broader party or public sentiment.
Why it matters
It highlights the internal political struggle within minor parties regarding policy-making processes and the influence of activist groups on mainstream political platforms.
Image source, Getty Images By Jamie Whitehead Published 18 minutes ago The Green Party has said it wants to make sure it is not "vulnerable to capture by extremists and racists" after members voted for a motion that claimed Zionism was racism.
The motion put forward by activists, which became formal policy after it was approved at the Green's conference earlier this month, has divided party figures and been criticised by Jewish groups.
Westminster leader Ellie Chowns told the BBC it was a "significant and damaging policy" and she would work to reform the party.
It comes after former leader Caroline Lucas said she felt the Green's structures were not protecting if from "entryism" - where people sign up to a party to try to change it.
The controversial policy also backs a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine", which includes modern-day Israel.
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