Zack Polanski has been spotted wearing a white poppy as the leader of the Greens overlooked the Cenotaph during this year’s Remembrance Sunday service.
First proposed in 1926 by the No More War Movement, the white poppy is often worn by some who believe the traditional red poppy glorifies war and conflict, which Mr Polanski also wore.
The white poppy is still a mark of commemoration for those who have died in conflict, but stresses the importance of peace-keeping simultaneously..
The former amateur hynotherapist regularly speaks out about his anti-war stance, explaining that remembrance should focus on “actively promoting peace”.
Ahead of last year’s National Service of Remembrance, Mr Polanski said he believed “we can have a world without war”.
At the time, he explained the white poppy came “mainly from women’s groups who were talking about peace and anti-fascism” after World War One.
Mr Polanski is also the only leader of a major political party who has failed to pay tribute to the brave war heroes who sacrificed themselves on social media.
Andy Burnham, Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage and Sir Ed Davey have all paid their respects on X, while the Green Party leader has appeared to opt out of doing so this year.
This morning, the King, along with a series of senior royals, observed the two-minute silence in what is Andy Burnham’s first service since entering No10 in July.
Thousands flocked to partake in the Royal British Legion’s march this morning, with more than 300 different Armed Forces and civilian organisations represented at the event in a powerful display of patriotism.
Around 20 World War II veterans attended the annual Royal British Legion march, led by the Royal Air Force.
Mr Burnham led the procession of political leaders, joined by the Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch by his side to lay a wreath before the Cenotaph.
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Former Prime Ministers lined up behind, including Sir Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron, Gordon Brown and Sir Tony Blair, and John Major – the largest number on record to attend.
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday for the first time.
Mr Farage, the MP for Clacton, was invited to lay a wreath after his party had enough sitting MPs in Parliament to reach the requirement.
As it stands, stringent rules only allow leaders of parties with six or more MPs to lay a wreath during the national service.
Since Remembrance Day in 2025, Robert Jenrick, Suella Braverman and Andrew Rosindell defected from the Conservative Party to join Mr Farage’s ranks, bringing his total number of MPs to eight.
From Mr Burnham’s Cabinet, Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, and Ed Miliband, the Foreign Secretary also laid wreaths on behalf of intelligence agencies.
Meanwhile, Wes Streeting, the Defence Secretary, paid his respects alongside other prominent political figures.
On the royal side, the King led Prince William, Princess Anne and the Duke of Edinburgh, all of whom paid their respects with a wreath.
Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales were spotted from the balcony of the Foreign Office, standing solemnly as the senior Westminster figures paid their respects.
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