Green Party leader Zack Polanski has issued a stark warning about escalating hatred and division across British society, taking aim at "grifters" such as Nigel Farage.
Speaking to councillors at the Local Government Association’s conference in Bournemouth, Mr Polanski expressed his dismay, stating the nation was "taking backward steps."
He highlighted his shock at the surge of online abuse following recent Pride celebrations.
Mr Polanski, who is gay, remarked: "I am rarely shocked by comments online but from Tommy Robinson to other online trolls it’s becoming really clear our country in many aspects is actually taking backward steps.
“Hatred is becoming normalised. Division is growing deeper."
He further criticised the "grifters who lead these movements, or champion this hate or call unnecessary by-elections," implicitly referencing figures like Mr Farage.
He said: “I don’t believe those people represent the British people and the people you are elected to represent.”
Mr Farage has announced he is quitting as an MP in Clacton to fight the resulting by-election in protest at the scrutiny he is under over his finances.
Insisting he had done nothing wrong, the Reform UK leader said he would be fighting the by-election, giving voters a chance to “stick two fingers up to the establishment”.
The Greens and other Westminster parties have confirmed they will not stand in the contest. Satirical candidate Count Binface appears to be Mr Farage’s main electoral rival so far.
Mr Polanski made clear he was taking aim at Reform UK’s leader, rather than the party’s councillors in the audience at the conference.
The Green leader acknowledged that people felt politics was not working for them and suggested that local councils could help address that.
“I do believe that people feel like politics is being done to them rather than with them – and actually councils play a huge, crucial part in reactivating your communities, in giving people power and a say in what happens in your local areas.
“I don’t believe that singlehandedly will tackle homophobia, racism or indeed any hate crime.
“But I do strongly believe that returning power back into people’s hands is a huge part of the role we should all be playing as elected public servants – and it’s how we rebuild trust again.”
Read MoreNigel Farage latest: By-election turns to farce with Count Binface as Reform’s rival
Nigel Farage’s £5m gift from crypto billionaire reported to National Crime Agency
In The Room | The real reason Nigel Farage fired himself
‘Farage by-election disrespects the people of Clacton’, minister claims
Green Party split as members demand vote on dropping opposition to missiles
Farage vs Binface: Who is actually standing in Clacton by-election?
