Green Party Leader Polanski Apologises for Council Tax Oversight on Houseboat

Context Polanski has been living on a narrowboat at a marina in Hackney. Council tax applies when a boat is used as a person's sole or main residence. The Green Party said he had been residing there until recently and may have missed payments. A tax lawyer noted that if the boat was his main residence, tax should have been paid.

Key Facts Polanski apologised sincerely for the unintentional mistake regarding council tax on his houseboat. His partner said they were moving house and would leave the gorgeous community behind, as seen in a Times advertisement. The party stated he has taken steps to pay any council tax he may be found to owe. He also rents a room elsewhere where council tax is included in rent, but records show he and his partner used the boat regularly from 2023 to 2025 and used a nearby building for postal address and voter registration.

What It Means The episode raises questions about how politicians manage local tax obligations and could affect public trust in the Green Party’s environmental stance. It highlights the complexity of determining residence for houseboats under UK tax law. The party’s response may influence future scrutiny of MPs’ living arrangements.

Watch for whether Polanski settles the owed amount and if any formal investigation follows.