**Carla Denyer Steps Down as Co-Leader of the Green Party**
Carla Denyer, the co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, has announced that she will not seek re-election for her position. This decision comes as she aims to focus more on her duties as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bristol Central. In making this announcement, Denyer underscored her commitment to her constituents, stating that this choice will allow her to concentrate on serving them effectively.
Denyer’s leadership has been pivotal in the Green Party’s recent successes, notably during the previous general election held last year, where the party achieved its best results to date. Under her co-leadership, which commenced alongside Adrian Ramsay in 2021, the Green Party saw an increase in its parliamentary presence from one MP to four. Her tenure marked a significant turnaround, reflecting the party’s growing appeal among voters.
In conjunction with Denyer’s announcement, current deputy leader Zack Polanski has initiated his own leadership campaign, expressing the need for the party to adopt a more assertive approach. Polanski has indicated that the Greens should move beyond a reputation that he feels has been “too polite” and instead adopt a strategy that shows bolder initiatives and policies that resonate with the electorate.
The Green Party follows a biannual tradition for electing co-leaders, which was slightly altered as Denyer and Ramsay were initially elected for a three-year term. In a unique turn of events, the party’s members voted against appointing new leaders in 2024, mainly due to the proximity to the general election. As it stands, nominations for the next leadership contest will open on June 2, with voting taking place throughout August before results are announced on September 2.
Denyer expressed immense pride in her accomplishments during her leadership tenure, describing it as “an enormous privilege.” She highlighted significant achievements such as increasing the party’s presence in local governance, with the number of councillors rising from 450 to over 850. The party also recorded nearly two million votes in the last general election, marking a pivotal moment for the Green Party.
Focused on the future, Denyer stated, “For me, my guiding light has always been ‘How can I make the biggest positive impact?'” She reiterated her commitment to the ideals of the Green Party and emphasized the importance of the party’s vision in addressing pressing societal issues. Denyer views her role as MP as a vital one and is determined to leverage her platform to advocate for the party’s values in parliament.
Furthermore, Denyer addressed the current state of British politics, indicating that voters are feeling disappointed and are actively seeking alternative solutions. With the rise of hard-right politics both in the UK and globally, she believes it is essential for the Greens to present a hopeful vision for the future, coupled with practical solutions aimed at improving people’s lives.
Denyer’s tenure also included significant collaboration with other Green Party MPs, including Adrian Ramsay, Sian Berry, and Ellie Chowns. Following her announcement, Ramsay took a moment to acknowledge her contributions, expressing gratitude for Denyer’s “inspirational leadership” and recognizing her role in demonstrating that Green values could resonate with a broader audience.
In response to Denyer’s departure from leadership, Polanski lauded her accomplishments, calling her “a brilliant leader” and a champion for key issues such as human rights and climate action. Launching his campaign, he emphasized the need for the Green Party to cultivate a mass movement capable of challenging current political power structures dominated by the two major parties. He articulated the challenges ahead, particularly in relation to opposing the growing influence of right-wing political alternatives like Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.
The Green Party recently celebrated a steady increase in councillors for the eighth consecutive year during local elections, solidifying its position as a significant political force in parts of England, particularly in the south-west where the Greens hold a dominant position in Bristol City Council. However, despite this growth, the party experienced setbacks in the West of England mayoral race, finishing third behind Labour and Reform UK.
As Denyer steps back to focus on her parliamentary role, the conversation surrounding the future of leadership in the Green Party continues, with candidates already shaping their vision for leading the party towards a more impactful presence in the British political landscape.