Overview
- Russell-Moyle announced the switch at a Brighton event alongside Green leader Zack Polanski and said he will seek local members’ backing to run in Brighton Kemptown.
- He said Labour had "left behind millions" and accused Sir Keir Starmer’s party of freezing out the left, casting the Greens as the vehicle for change.
- The former MP was suspended by Labour in May 2024 over an historic complaint, later readmitted in February 2025, and was replaced at the 2024 election by Chris Ward.
- Polanski said he has spoken to a double-figure number of sitting Labour MPs about defecting, a claim that has not been independently verified.
- The Greens cite membership above 150,000 and polling of roughly 15–17 percent, figures they say reflect growing momentum under Polanski.