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| Out going leader Caroline Lucas MP |
The Green Party of England and Wales is to unveil its new leader at 11am, following the decision of Green MP Caroline Lucas to step aside as head of her party. The contest was launched when the Brighton Pavilion MP announced she would not run for leader again following the end of her second two-year term. Deputy leader Adrian Ramsay also stood down and will also be replaced.
Ms Lucas who became her party's first and only MP after the general election in 2010, when she gained the Brighton Pavilion constituency from Labour, said she wanted to give the opportunity for more of the Greens' talent to come to the fore.
Ballots closed on Friday, with party members choosing between Natalie Bennett, Pippa Bartolotti, Peter Cranie and Romayne Phoenix for leader. The deputy leader contenders are Caroline Allen, Will Duckworth, Richard Mallender and Alexandra Phillips.
Mr Cranie, who has been backed by the current deputy leader, is thought to be favourite to take the leadership of the party. The Green Party's equality rules mean of the two posts, a man and a woman must be elected.
Ms Lucas who became her party's first and only MP after the general election in 2010, when she gained the Brighton Pavilion constituency from Labour, said she wanted to give the opportunity for more of the Greens' talent to come to the fore.
Ballots closed on Friday, with party members choosing between Natalie Bennett, Pippa Bartolotti, Peter Cranie and Romayne Phoenix for leader. The deputy leader contenders are Caroline Allen, Will Duckworth, Richard Mallender and Alexandra Phillips.
Mr Cranie, who has been backed by the current deputy leader, is thought to be favourite to take the leadership of the party. The Green Party's equality rules mean of the two posts, a man and a woman must be elected.
The new Green Party leader will head straight into the party's autumn conference, taking place in Bristol from Friday. Green Party policy is determined by delegate votes at the conference and both the winners will speak at the event in Council House, Bristol.
The party is due to debate its solutions to the financial crisis, a four-point approach dubbed "economic democracy". Proposals include increasing company accountability by mandating employee-elected directors and giving employees a majority stake in company pension funds.
The leadership race follows the party finishing third in the high-profile London Mayor race with Jenny Jones. The Greens also have two MEPs, two London assembly members, and 135 councillors across England. The Greens run Brighton and Hove City Council as a minority and are the main opposition on Norwich City Council.
The leadership race follows the party finishing third in the high-profile London Mayor race with Jenny Jones. The Greens also have two MEPs, two London assembly members, and 135 councillors across England. The Greens run Brighton and Hove City Council as a minority and are the main opposition on Norwich City Council.
