Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay elected new joint Green Party leaders

The Green Party of England and Wales has today (1 October) announced the results of its leadership election, confirming that Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay will succeed Sian Berry.


Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay elected new joint Green Party leaders

Image: Green Party of England and Wales

Sian Berry had been acting leader of the party since August, after her co-lead Jonathan Bartley stepped down in June. Bartley stated at the time that he wanted to give his successor or successors enough time to settle in and campaign against the UK’s first-past-the-post system before a potential general election.

Berry subsequently announced her intention to step down in July, citing an “inconsistency” between her support of trans rights and the views of some Green Party front bench spokespeople – some of whom have been recently appointed. Notably, Shahar Ali was made spokesperson for policing and domestic safety in 2020 and has repeatedly asserted that trans women are not women.

Denyer and Ramsay’s election was announced this morning in a livestream from the party, broadcast via Facebook and Instagram, and on Sky. The turnout for the vote was 22% of a membership of some 53,000.

Denyer is the Green Party’s MP candidate for Bristol West and is currently a councillor for the Bristol ward of Clifton Down. She has played an instrumental role in pushing the council to make a climate emergency declaration – believed to be the first in Europe – and to commit to carbon neutrality by 2030.

Ramsay, meanwhile, is the Party’s former deputy leader, having served in that post from 2008 to 2012. He has also held a councillor post at Norwich City Council and is the former chief executive for the Centre for Alternative Technology, which conducts R&D into climate solutions including renewable energy, green buildings and regenerative land management. Most recently, he has serves as part of Brighton Pavillion MP Caroline Lucas’ team.

Denyer and Ramsay have 33 years of political experience between them, according to their website. The website states that their priorities are securing “green power and influence in every corner of England and Wales” by professionalising the party, championing inclusion and accessibility and delivering a green recovery from Covid-19.

Amelia Womack and Tamsin Omond came second in the election. Womack has been the deputy leader of the Party since 2014 and Omond is notably a founding member of Extinction Rebellion. Shahar Ali came third.

Sarah George

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe