Green Party MPs Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns have announced their joint bid for the party’s co-leadership. Ramsay, the current co-leader alongside Carla Denyer, is seeking re-election with Chowns. Denyer decided not to run for re-election, opening the door for new leadership within the party. Zack Polanski, the party’s deputy leader, also joined the race for co-leadership on 5 May.
Nominations for the leadership race open on 2 June, with party members set to vote throughout August before the results are revealed on 2 September. The Greens typically elect co-leaders every two years, but Ramsay and Denyer were initially elected for a three-year term, leading to the delay in new leadership elections in 2024 due to the general election. Party rules require that if two co-leaders are elected, they must be of different genders.
Chowns, the MP for North Herefordshire, expressed readiness to lead the party towards its most ambitious phase, emphasizing the need for strong leadership in Westminster. Ramsay echoed this sentiment, highlighting the necessity for the Green Party to not just speak up but also take action and potentially hold significant political influence. The duo aims to expand the party’s political foothold and push for Green ideas to take center stage in government decisions.
Despite the Greens’ recent electoral achievements, internal disputes persist, particularly regarding the party’s position on gender and trans rights. Additionally, the party faces challenges in balancing its support base across diverse regions, encompassing urban hubs like Bristol as well as more rural areas represented by Ramsay and Chowns. Ramsay has notably voiced opposition to new pylons in his constituency, sparking debate over the party’s renewable energy policies. In the midst of these complexities, the upcoming leadership elections will shape the future direction of the Green Party of England and Wales
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