John Zylinski
John Zylinski | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Jan Andrezej Zylinski 25 July 1951 |
| Died | 3 January 2024 (aged 72) |
| Alma mater | |
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 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 Two 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
Duma Polska = Polish Pride | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | John Zylinski |
| Founded | February 2018 |
| 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
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
He died of heart failure in 2024, aged 72. He is survived by 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
- ^ "Meet Prince Zylinski: the sword-wielding Polish aristocrat who wants to be London mayor". The Guardian. 14 February 2016.
- ^ a b "John Zylinksi", The Times, p. 75, 3 February 2024
- ^ a b "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.