Greens could have another double-headed leadership

The Greens could be set for another double-headed leadership, after two of the party's most prominent figures put in a joint bid for the top job.

Current co-leader Jonathan Bartley and former London mayoral candidate Sian Berry have put their names forward as joint candidates to lead the Green Party of England and Wales.

Mr Bartley has served since 2016 as co-leader alongside Caroline Lucas, the party's only MP, who announced this week she would not stand again for the leadership.

Caroline Lucas
Caroline Lucas

Announcing their candidacy, Mr Bartley and Ms Berry pledged to take the party "up to a whole new level", with an ambition to get a Green serving on every council.

They set a target of winning a record number of seats in 2019 council elections and 2020 London elections, while campaigning for a second Brexit referendum, action on air pollution, voting reform and a shorter working week.

Ms Berry, who is a councillor in the London borough of Camden and stood for mayor in 2008 and 2016, acknowledged that Ms Lucas, leader from 2008-12 and co-leader since 2016, would be "a hard act to follow".

But she said: "I'm ready for the challenge."

With @jon_bartley on why we're standing to be Green co-leaders and our plans for brighter ideas, fiercer resistance, wider impact and bigger successes for our party. Sign up or ask us a question and, if you're not a member, join by 29 July to have a say: https://t.co/ZCBOLAUvWzpic.twitter.com/GVI0nFwavk

-- Sian Berry (@sianberry) June 1, 2018

Lambeth councillor Mr Bartley said: "When I was elected as co-leader with Caroline we said we would help build the party and elect more Greens.

"We have done that and the Green Party is now firmly established as England's fourth party.

"I want to continue that work with Sian as we build towards the next vital set of elections."

Green Party leadership elections take place every two years. Nominations close on June 29 and members will take part in a postal ballot over the summer before the announcement of the new leader in October.

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