Andy Burnham Rules Out Coalition With Green Party

Prime Minister Andy Burnham ruled out a coalition partnership with the Green Party on October 14, 2026, as long as the party maintains a policy describing Zionism as racism. During Prime Minister's Questions, Burnham condemned the motion as "antisemitic" and "wrong." This decision marks a hardening of his stance following an October 8 visit to Berlin, where he had previously urged Green Party leadership to reverse the policy.

The motion was passed at the Green Party's Brighton conference in early October and has since triggered internal division. Former leaders Caroline Lucas, Adrian Ramsay, and Carla Denyer oppose the measure, and current leader Zack Polanski has expressed a desire to remove it. However, party rules may prevent any policy changes until 2028.

The controversy has extended beyond government relations. The Campaign Against Antisemitism and several Labour MPs have reported the Green Party to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, alleging discrimination against Jewish members. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, also called on the Prime Minister to refuse any cooperation with the party.