Labour to end power-sharing with Greens in 11 councils over Zionism row

The Labour Party has announced it will terminate power-sharing arrangements with the Green Party across 11 local councils following the national party’s adoption of a policy that characterizes Zionism as a form of racism. Consequently, Labour councillors will no longer participate in coalitions with Green representatives in several areas, including Sheffield, Warwick, and Lewes.

Bridget Phillipson, chair of the Labour Party, stated unequivocally, “Labour has been clear from the start that the ‘Zionism is Racism’ policy crosses a line and we cannot work with any party that supports it – at any level of government.” In contrast, Green leader Zack Polanski condemned Labour’s decision, predicting it would “backfire” and accusing Labour of intending to “interrupt your local services and impose genocide support from its local councils.”

The controversy stems from a motion passed by Green Party members in October, titled “Zionism is racism.” The motion denotes Zionism as an ideology supporting an “ethnonationalist Jewish State in historic Palestine.” It further endorses the creation of a “single democratic Palestinian State,” extending to territories that are part of modern Israel. The Israeli government has rejected accusations of genocide in Gaza. Since its endorsement, the policy has caused significant divisions within the Green Party’s leadership and attracted condemnation from Jewish organizations and opposition parties.

Following the motion’s passage, Labour, led by Andy Burnham, made it clear they would not collaborate with the Greens due to what they termed the “antisemitic” nature of the policy. Labour issued an ultimatum to councils governed by Labour-Green coalitions, insisting that local Greens disavow the motion and pressure their national party to reconsider. Out of 18 councils with existing agreements, Labour determined that 11 had failed to meet these demands, resulting in the withdrawal of cooperation in those areas.

Some affected councils include Arun District, Derbyshire Dales, Havant Borough, Lewes District, Sheffield City, Warwick District, and West Suffolk, among others. Notably, Labour stated that some councils such as Broadland and Monmouthshire had met their conditions, allowing cooperation to continue there. Additionally, Labour plans to maintain its partnership with the Greens in the West of England mayoralty, where the deputy mayor belongs to the Green Party.

The breakdown in local coalitions could have significant consequences, potentially delaying budget approvals and policy decisions, thereby affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. Green and Labour councillors in impacted councils now face the prospect of forming new alliances or governing as minorities. The Greens and the Local Government Association Green Group expressed deep disappointment over Labour’s decision, lamenting the risk to effective progressive partnerships benefitting local communities.

In Sheffield, where the coalition was particularly large, with 25 Labour and 20 Green councillors elected in May 2026 to serve approximately 550,000 residents, tensions have been high. Angela Argenzio, leader of the Sheffield Greens, declined to explicitly refer to the controversial motion in communications with local Labour members but affirmed, “local Green councillors are not antisemitic.” She also criticized Labour representatives for following their national leader’s directives rather than prioritizing local issues. Sheffield’s Labour leader, Councillor Fran Belbin, confirmed that Labour would seek to govern as a minority administration, stating, “We now feel we are at the end of the road with the joint administration,” and accused Greens of “refusal to stand up for Jewish citizens.”

Green Party co-leader Rachel Millward, who also leads Wealden Council, criticized Labour’s approach as disruptive. She remarked, “It is ironic that a Labour prime minister who made a promise to solve problems, not score points, has now shown he is willing to disrupt well-run councils for fear of Green success.” Millward emphasized the distinction between criticizing Israeli government actions and antisemitism, pointing out that “Many Jewish people strongly reject the illegal actions of the current Israeli government.”

Locally in Warwick, Greens resisted calls to renounce the policy, stating, “We refuse to condemn a democratically decided policy because of political intimidation,” and urged the Prime Minister to respect local autonomy. Meanwhile, Green councillor Netty Shepherd from Havant criticized Labour for engaging in “performative politics,” warning that ending coalitions would be “a complete disaster for residents.” Shepherd highlighted the local nature of their responsibilities, emphasizing, “I am a local government councillor, I worry about people’s bins, I worry about generating town centres – foreign policy is nothing to do with my remit.