Zack Polanski meets unions in attempt to get them to switch party funding to Greens

Leader understood to have spoken to 10 trade unions after party claimed working class voters are turning to them

Zack Polanski has kicked off a charm offensive designed to convince trade unions to stop funding Labour and throw their weight behind the Green party, as he delivered the first in a series of speeches to union conferences.

The Green leader has had good conversations" with 10 trade unions, including some affiliated to Labour, according to party sources, and is due to address the University and College Union and the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, not affiliated with Labour, in the coming months.