Zack Polanski and Jamie Driscoll A former Labour mayor has joined the Greens in another boost for party leader Zack Polanski. Jamie Driscoll , who was mayor for North of Tyne between 2019 and 2024, said he had made the switch because “Britain’s a mess”. He said: “British politics is a mess and it’s not the fault of immigrants. Food prices, energy prices, housing prices are all too high. “Our economy isn’t working for workers, it isn’t working for small businesses. It doesn’t have to be like this. “I’m joining the Green Party because I see an organisation that’s serious about running our country in the long-term interests of all our people.” Driscoll was once a senior figure within Labour, helping Ed Miliband’s campaign to be PM in the run-up to the 2015 general election and then backing Jeremy Corbyn in his subsequent leadership bid. He served as a Labour mayor until quitting the party in 2023 after failing to be selected as its candidate for the inaugural 2024 North East mayoral election. He stood as an independent but came second to Labour’s Kim McGuinness. Driscoll has also been involved with Your Party, the new left-wing outfit co-founded by Corbyn, in more recent months. News of his decision to join the Greens comes two days after five Labour Brent councillors also defected to the party. Welcoming Driscoll’s defection, Polanski said: “This is another example of the Green surge sweeping across the country. Jamie is a well known political figure with a proven track record of delivering real change to people’s lives. “People are looking for bold politics that offers hope rather than fear, and solutions rather than division. Newcastle Greens are growing fast because they’re delivering for their communities. “It’s great to see Jamie Driscoll choosing to be part of a party that’s building real momentum from the ground up.” According to the party, the Greens are now the fastest-growing political group in Newcastle with more than 1,000 new members joining in the last few months. Nationwide membership has soared since Polanski, a London Assembly member, was elected as leader in September. The Greens claim to have more than 170,000 members, making it bigger than the Tories. Related... Huge Boost For Zack Polanski As Five Labour Councillors Defect To Greens Reform MP Slammed For Trying To Defend Party Candidate Who Told David Lammy To 'Go Home' Exclusive: Labour MPs Mocked After Appearing To Ditch Red For Green