Born David Paulden in Greater Manchester, Zack Polanski, 43, changed his name at 18 to reflect his Jewish heritage. He studied acting at Aberystwyth University and worked in community theatre and as a hypnotherapist. In 2017, he joined the Greens. He was elected deputy leader in 2022 and leader in September. He lives in London with his partner.
When were you happiest?
Last summer with my boyfriend Richie. We had no plans – it was just wonderful.
What is your greatest fear?
A Reform government.
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Chlöe Swarbrick who is co-leader of the New Zealand Greens. She’s demonstrating the bold leadership that I look to do every single day.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Doomscrolling on my phone.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Those who create the doom.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
Being misrepresented by a Sun journalist 12 years ago.
What would your superpower be?
Talking at ridiculous speeds and still being understood.
What makes you unhappy?
On a big scale, injustice. On a smaller scale, when there’s no plant-based options in a cafe.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My achilles heel is literally my achilles heel: I can’t run properly. I had an injury years ago and it’s never been right since.
If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
The Tasmanian tiger, and the brilliant journalist Lainy Malkani did a podcast all about this.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Adam Sandler.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Having a floordrobe.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Idris Elba.
Which book are you ashamed not to have read?
I’m going to confess I haven’t finished The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to be in the WWF – the wrestling one, not the wildlife one.
What is the worst thing anyone’s ever said to you?
I get trolled on a daily basis so it probably involved my teeth, but that was until I learned to love my teeth.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
RuPaul’s Drag Race.
What does love feel like?
A dog bounding through the grass on a summer’s day chasing a squirrel.
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What did you dream about last night?
The idea for our next party political broadcast, which is coming soon.
What has been your biggest disappointment?
Forest Green Rovers, my football team, getting relegated.
If you could edit your past, what would you change?
Nothing. Tony Benn, one of my favourite politicians, said, “I don’t care where you’ve been, I care where you’re going.”
If not yourself, who would you most like to be?
David Attenborough, so I could see all those creatures from across the world.
When did you last cry, and why?
Deputy leader Mothin Ali gave a speech at conference talking about growing up in poverty and the effect it had on his family. It was incredibly powerful and I had tears streaming from my eyes.
What would you like to leave your children?
I’ve got no kids, but I’d like us to leave a planet for everyone’s children.
What is the closest you’ve come to death?
Catching Covid. I don’t think any of us know what we’re messing with still to this day.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Proportional representation.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Getting elected with 85% of the vote.
What has been your closest brush with the law?
I was arrested on Waterloo Bridge with Extinction Rebellion.
What keeps you awake at night?
I would say something earnest like stopping the far right, but the truth is nothing keeps me awake at night.
Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
None. More love for everyone.
