Green Candidate Defends Leader's Hypnotherapy Breast Claims Amid Election Row
The Green Party candidate for an upcoming by-election has attempted to defend leader Zack Polanski's controversial claim that he could enlarge women's breasts through hypnotherapy. This comes as the party faces scrutiny over its campaign tactics in a pivotal North West vote.
Past Controversy Resurfaces
Mr Polanski has long been mocked for advising women to "visualise yourself with a bigger bust as often as possible" during his time working at a Harley Street clinic. The remarks, detailed in a 2013 interview, have been criticised as misogynistic behaviour by even the Greens' own candidate for next week's vote in Gorton & Denton.
However, Hannah Spencer has also publicly supported Mr Polanski's subsequent apology for what she called a "mistake." In social media comments from just last year, she welcomed his announcement to run for party leader, writing on X: "My heart could burst. Just what we've always needed."
Spencer's Defence of Polanski
When challenged by a party activist about Mr Polanski's "baggage that will further humiliate" the Greens, Ms Spencer responded: "Find me a human who doesn't have baggage. I'd rather someone who's shaped by their mistakes and become a more decent person."
She elaborated further, stating: "Most people in the world engage in misogynistic behaviour. But sadly few people reflect and apologise, or go on to dedicate their life to a fairer future."
Even when confronted with the fact that Mr Polanski had charged £220 for his 90-minute hypnotherapy sessions – effectively profiting from promoting unrealistic beauty standards – Ms Spencer shifted the focus. She wrote: "I really look forward to your timeline becoming a space where you constantly raise and fight the unrealistic (and expensive) beauty and physical standards that us women and girls are expected to live up to. Better late than never, eh."
By-Election Descends Into Three-Way Fight
The looming by-election in Gorton & Denton was triggered by former minister Andrew Gwynne's resignation over offensive WhatsApp comments. It has now become a fierce three-way contest between Labour, the Greens, and Reform UK.
Amid allegations of dirty tricks, the Green Party has been accused of using misleading campaign materials. This includes falsely claiming an academic endorsement in leaflets and employing deceptive bar charts on social media to suggest they can win the seat.
Labour's Strong Criticism
A Labour source sharply criticised the situation, saying: "It shouldn't be hard to call out this ridiculous behaviour from Zack Polanski. Yet Hannah Spencer seems happy to defend the indefensible."
The source added: "Now Polanski's pulling his hypnosis scam on the voters by using bogus data and fake endorsements to claim the Greens can win in Gorton & Denton. They can't. Only Labour can defeat Reform's Tommy Robinson-endorsed candidate. A vote for the Greens just risks letting him in through the back door."
As the election approaches, the controversy surrounding Mr Polanski's past and the Greens' campaign tactics continues to dominate discussions, highlighting the intense partisan battles shaping this critical vote.
