Green Party’s Faaiz Hasan Slams Sectarian Claims for 2026 London Elections

Key Points

• Faaiz Hasan, national and London elections coordinator for the Green Party, outlined the party’s strategy for May 2026 local elections in an interview with Middle East Eye.
• The Greens, led by Zack Polanski, have seen a surge in polls and secured a historic by-election win in Gorton and Denton, Greater Manchester, defeating Labour and Reform UK in February 2026.
• Reform UK, under Nigel Farage, accused the Greens of “sectarian” politics after their loss in Gorton and Denton, where Green candidate Hannah Spencer beat Reform’s Matt Goodwin.
• Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer also criticised the Greens for engaging in “divisive, sectarian politics”, linking it to George Galloway’s influence.
• Hasan dismissed “sectarianism” claims as attempts to “discredit the democratic system” when results do not favour opponents, highlighting that Gorton and Denton voters backed a “white blond working-class woman” from a party once led by a Jewish man.
• The Greens plan to focus on pushing back against Reform UK and Labour in upcoming polls, rejecting alliances with Your Party for now but open to cooperation in London wards.
• Polling suggests Reform UK could win up to 17 councils and 1,500 councillors in May 2026.
• Middle East Eye’s Imran Mulla argued the Greens’ Gorton and Denton campaign was anti-sectarian, uniting diverse groups around a shared programme.

London (Extra London News) April 18, 2026 – Faaiz Hasan, the Green Party’s national elections coordinator and London elections coordinator, has unveiled the party’s ambitious strategy for next month’s local elections, while robustly rejecting accusations of “sectarian” tactics levelled by Reform UK and Labour following a key by-election victory. In an exclusive interview with Middle East Eye, Hasan emphasised the Greens’ focus on countering both Reform and Labour, positioning his party as the primary progressive force in the polls.

Who is Faaiz Hasan, and What Role Does He Play in the Green Party?

Faaiz Hasan serves as both the national elections coordinator and London elections coordinator for the Green Party of England and Wales, a position confirmed through the party’s internal elections documentation. As reported by an unnamed journalist at Middle East Eye on 16 April 2026, Hasan sat down for the interview amid the Greens’ rising momentum under co-leader Zack Polanski, who has steered the party since last summer. Hasan’s dual role underscores his influence in shaping electoral tactics across the country, particularly in the capital.

In the Middle East Eye piece, Hasan articulated a clear vision:

“We have no quarrel with our friends in Your Party. But for this election, we are by far the main army pushing back against Reform and pushing back against Labour, and we expect that voters will vote accordingly.”

This statement highlights the Greens’ strategic prioritisation, avoiding dilution of their efforts through pacts.

What is the Green Party’s Strategy for the May 2026 Local Elections?

The Green Party is gearing up for local elections in May 2026, with Hasan detailing a multi-pronged approach. In London, where voters have three votes – one for mayor, one for regional seats, and one for the London-wide assembly – the party sees opportunities for tactical cooperation without full withdrawals. As per Middle East Eye’s 16 April 2026 report, Hasan noted:

“In London, every ward has maybe three candidates. So there is a way to cooperate without anybody actually stepping away completely from a ward.”

Nationally, the Greens aim to capitalise on their recent successes, including the February 2026 by-election in Gorton and Denton, Greater Manchester, where Hannah Spencer triumphed over Labour and Reform UK. Hasan positioned the party as the vanguard against right-wing and centrist rivals, expecting voters to rally accordingly.

Polling data referenced in the Middle East Eye article indicates Reform UK’s strong position, potentially securing 17 councils and 1,500 councillors, making the Greens’ challenge all the more critical.

Why Did Reform UK Accuse the Greens of ‘Sectarian’ Politics?

Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has dominated polls for over a year and views the May elections as a breakthrough moment. However, their candidate Matt Goodwin’s defeat in Gorton and Denton prompted sharp accusations. According to Middle East Eye on 16 April 2026, Reform labelled the Greens’ win as “sectarian”, citing the area’s large Muslim community.

A related Middle East Eye article from 26 February 2026 detailed Goodwin’s reaction:

“We are losing our country. A dangerous Muslim sectarianism has emerged. We have only one general election left to save Britain.”

This echoed broader Reform frustrations, framing the loss as demographic manipulation rather than policy failure.

The Daily Telegraph, via commentator Allister Heath in a 25 February 2026 YouTube segment titled “‘A sectarian travesty’: The Greens’ dirty tricks in Gorton and Denton exposed”, decried the campaign as a “retrograde step towards sectarianism” and a “disaster for democracy”, arguing elections should hinge on policies, not “demographic wars”.

How Did Labour Respond to the Gorton and Denton By-Election?

Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose party’s candidate finished third, joined the criticism. As reported by Middle East Eye on 26 February 2026, Starmer stated that the Greens had welcomed the “divisive, sectarian politics” associated with George Galloway. This came amid a tight three-way race between Reform, Greens, and Labour on election day in Gorton and Denton.

The Middle East Eye coverage framed these barbs as reactions from losing parties, boosted by claims of “family voting” and “sectarianism”.

What is Faaiz Hasan’s Response to Sectarianism Allegations?

Hasan vehemently rebutted the claims in his Middle East Eye interview. He argued:

“When you have a party which is deliberately stoking hatred against a particular community, we should not be surprised that that community does not like that party and votes against that party.”

He branded Reform’s accusations as “attempts to deliberately discredit the democratic system when the results go against them”.

Pointing to the victor, Hasan noted:

“There was a large Muslim community in Gorton and Denton. They ended up voting for a white blond working-class woman and a party which was led by a Jewish man. I think we should welcome that.”

This, he said, exemplified cross-community support.

Was the Green Party’s Gorton and Denton Campaign Truly Anti-Sectarian?

Middle East Eye’s Imran Mulla, in a 26 February 2026 YouTube video “Why the Green campaign in Gorton and Denton was in fact anti-sectarian”, provided a counter-narrative. Mulla examined the Greens’ efforts, which united diverse ethnic, class, and religious backgrounds around a shared political programme. He questioned the accuracy of Farage and Starmer’s charges, asserting the campaign’s inclusive nature.

Mulla’s analysis directly challenged Reform and Labour’s portrayals, emphasising unity over division.

Could There Be Electoral Alliances with Other Parties?

Hasan addressed potential pacts explicitly. While open to London-specific cooperation, he ruled out broader alliances with Your Party or independents that might sideline the Greens.

“Then we will have London elections where, again, people will have three votes,”

he explained, hinting at strategic voting without concessions.

This stance reinforces the Greens’ self-perception as the “main army”.

What Do Polls Say About Reform UK’s Prospects?

Reform UK leads most polls, eyeing dominance in May 2026. The Middle East Eye report cited projections of 17 councils and 1,500 councillors, underscoring the high stakes for challengers like the Greens.

Social media echoes, such as Middle East Eye’s X post on 17 April 2026 and @researchUSAI’s repost, amplified Hasan’s interview.