John Zylinski
John Zylinski | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Jan Andrzej Zylinski 25 July 1951 |
| Died | 3 January 2024 (aged 72) |
| Education | |
John Zylinski, also known as Jan or Janek Zylinski (25 July 1951 – 3 January 2024) was a Polish property developer living in United Kingdom who claimed to be a prince from a line of Polish aristocracy[citation needed] but grew up in the émigré community in London after the Second World War. His early career was in art journalism and he established an art business. He then became a property developer, specialising in fixer-uppers, and made a fortune.[1] He was known for his public activism and support for Polish causes in the United Kingdom, recreating a Polish palace in Ealing, and founding the charity Polish Heroes and a political party, Duma Polska – Polish Pride.[2][3]
In 2016, Zylinski ran for the office of London mayor as an Independent,[4] appearing on the ballot paper as "Prince Zylinski" and having a focus on appealing to European residents. He had previously drawn attention in 2015 for challenging Nigel Farage to a duel in Hyde Park over his comments on immigrants.[5][6][2][3]
He was a frequent commentator on Polish rights in the UK,[7][8][9] including campaigning for a Polish statue to World War II heroes in Hyde Park,[10][11] and founding a charity called Polish Heroes which aimed to celebrate the contribution and heroism of Poles in World War Two.[12]
Duma Polska
[edit]Duma Polska = Polish Pride | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | John Zylinski |
| Founded | February 2018 |
| Dissolved | October 2019 |
| Headquarters | London |
| Ideology | Minority rights Pro-Europeanism |
| Local government | 0 / 20,270 |
| Website | |
| www | |
Duma Polska = Polish Pride, also known as Duma Polska or Polish Pride, was a political party in the United Kingdom,[13] founded by John Zylinski in 2018, which sought to represent European Union citizens on a pro-European platform.[14][15]
Electoral history
[edit]In the May 2018 local elections, the party fielded 48 candidates across 16 London boroughs,[16] and sought to appeal to Polish and other minority group voters concerned by Brexit with a platform that centred on increased EU citizen rights in the UK and a specific hate crime for anti-European discrimination.[17][18]
Duma Polska received 6,983 votes (approximately 0.1% of the vote in London) and no seats. It did not contest any subsequent elections.
Personal life
[edit]He died of heart failure in 2024, aged 72. He is survived by his brother, family and his partner.[19]
He identified as a Eurosceptic, although voted to remain in the 2016 EU membership referendum and was concerned about the effects of Brexit and its impact on Poles in the UK.[20]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Meet Prince Zylinski: the sword-wielding Polish aristocrat who wants to be London mayor". The Guardian. 14 February 2016.
- 1 2 "John Zylinksi", The Times, p. 75, 3 February 2024
- 1 2 "John Zylinski, Polish prince who challenged Nigel Farage to a duel and stood for Mayor of London", Daily Telegraph, 1 February 2024
- ↑ "John Zylinski: The Polish prince who's running for Mayor in bid to banish stereotypes". Evening Standard. 8 February 2016.
- ↑ "'Polish prince' challenges Nigel Farage to duel". The Scotsman. 14 April 2015.
- ↑ "Jan Żyliński - kim jest książę, który wyzwał na pojedynek Farage'a?". gazeta.pl. 22 March 2015.
- ↑ John Zylinski (17 August 2015). "Why we Polish are downing tools to get the recognition we deserve". The Guardian.
- ↑ "Książę Jan Żyliński: jestem polskim Trumpem w Londynie". onet.pl. 28 December 2018.
- ↑ "Brexit: Anglia zawdzięcza go Polakom" (in Polish). pl:money.pl. 12 April 2019.
- ↑ "Polski arystokrata Jan Żyliński chce postawić w centrum Londynu pomnik pamięci polskich pilotów". Gazeta Wyborcza. 14 September 2016.
- ↑ "Prince John Zylinski calls for Hyde Park memorial to Polish war heroes". Evening Standard. 20 July 2016.
- ↑ "The last interview with Prince Janek Żyliński / Ealing London 27/11/2023". Designer Magazine. 9 January 2024.
- ↑ Registration Summary Electoral Commission
- ↑ ""Polish Pride": Aristocrat prince John Zylinski launches new party for EU citizens". Evening Standard. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ↑ "Prince John Zylinski launches "Polish Pride" party of EU citizens". i News. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ↑ "Polish Pride seeks May 3 votes in Ealing, Hillingdon". Ealing Times. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ↑ "Prince launches new Polish political party in the UK". Belfast Telegraph. 21 March 2018.
- ↑ Polish Pride: Aristocrat's new party targets Waltham Forest Council seats East London & West Essex Guardian. 3 April. Retrieved 20 August 2018
- ↑ "Prince John Zylinski RIP". Independent Catholic News. 24 January 2024.
- ↑ "Nazywali go "księciem", chciał być burmistrzem Londynu. Nie żyje Jan Żyliński" (in Polish). pl:money.pl. 3 February 2024.