We are halfway through the 2020s. There’s been a global shift to right-wing populist governments, a climate change crisis beyond solution, cost-of-living crises, and the rise of AI disrupting job markets. Things have been looking bleak for some time now, but in 2025, a historic victory like Zohran Mamdani’s and the record number of memberships for the Zack Polanski’s Green Party have brought in hope to young left-wing voters. However, I don’t think we should be celebrating just yet.

Zohran Mamdani’s campaign for the New York City Mayoral seat proved successful for being as straight forward as it was authentic. Free buses, universal childcare, rent freezes and tax reform were only some of his core policies, which were communicated in one of the most effective online campaigns to date. A young and charismatic candidate with aspirational yet convincing policies, all conveniently delivered to the screens of young people even beyond New York City, Mamdani’s Mayoral campaign brought hope back to a globally disillusioned left even before his victory.

Zack Polanski’s campaign for the Green Party Leadership over last summer had a terribly similar approach, clear and concise policies that all promise to combat the cost-of-living crisis and a focus on wealth redistribution paired with a consistent online presence. And though it was only an internal election, Polanski’s win in September was seen as a big step in the right direction for many leftist voters in the UK. Currently, the Greens continue to ride on the momentum brought by Polanski’s win, evident in the unprecedented rise in memberships to the party in only the last few months and maintaining this momentum will become key with the approaching local elections next year.

Both Mamdani and Polanski have put forward these socialist policies and have resonated with younger voters, which statistically tend to lean more left wing. And the way they have presented the policies in their campaigns, at least in the case of Mamdani’s, makes them seem achievable and thus has raised people’s spirits. However, we have yet to see how well these will deliver and how they can manage to keep the public’s interest and support.

Mamdani has seen a lot of criticisms of his policy proposals regarding feasibility, and I believe it is all going to be a matter of circumstances. President Trump having made threats to cut NYC’s budget following Mamdani’s victory. This could impact to what extent these policies are able to be implemented.

In the case of Polanski things appear more complicated, as his Green Party doesn’t just stand against the emerging far-right Reform, but also Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s Your Party on the left. Despite its unclear status, Your Party does represent a significant split in leftist politics in the UK as many of their positions are more clearly stated as socialist since its inception, which is where I have found the most division among left wing voters. Many still do not consider the Green Party a socialist party, and despite Polanski saying so in several interviews if Your Party does manage to secure a somewhat sizeable base, it could draw a significant split in the leftist vote.

On January 1st , 2026, Mamdani will be inaugurated as Mayor of New York City and we will finally see if his victory can set precedent to other leftist leaders, Polanski will also see a busy year with local elections next May. If there is something to take away from movements like Mamdani’s campaign is that hope is important but so is being proactive.

Image credit: Evie Smith