Overview
- In a Sky News interview, Polanski said open borders are "not pragmatic" and described them as a distant vision not present in the Greens' manifesto.
- The party platform instead backs ending the "hostile environment," expanding safe and legal routes, and replacing the Home Office with a migration department.
- Following a visit to Calais, he said he aimed to counter misinformation and urged a compassionate, fair and managed response to small-boat crossings.
- He refused to apologise for BBC Question Time remarks about care work that drew criticism from Labour’s Wes Streeting, while reiterating respect for care workers and support for better pay.
- He argued that asylum seekers should be allowed to work and pay taxes on arrival, criticised Labour for echoing far-right rhetoric on immigration, and has been credited with lifting Green support into double digits in recent polls.