The Green Party's leadership contest has reached its decisive moment as more than 60,000 members begin voting on Friday. The occasionally fractious campaign will determine the party's direction after its breakthrough success in last year's general election.
Members face a choice between two distinct visions for the party's future. Current co-leader Adrian Ramsay and MP Ellie Chowns advocate building on "proven techniques" that quadrupled Green representation in Westminster to four MPs.
'Eco-populist' challenge emerges
Their challenger, London Assembly member Zack Polanski, has mounted an insurgent campaign calling for a "bold" new approach. He champions an "eco-populist" stance and seeks to emulate Nigel Farage's success in creating headlines and propelling Reform UK to the top of opinion polls.
The campaign has exposed tensions within the party over strategy and messaging. Ramsay and Chowns have accused Polanski of using "polarising" language that appeals only to a "narrow segment" of voters.
Voting system sparks controversy
"To win under first-past-the-post, we have to connect with a wide range of voters," Chowns said on Wednesday. Polanski responded: "They say I'm polarising but can't name a single example. So let me give them one, it's the 99% versus the 1%. If you're not Shell or a billionaire, I'm on your side."
Polanski's campaign has encouraged new members to join ahead of the vote, leading to accusations of "entryism" from opponents. He has denied these claims as voting continues until August 30.
Results due in September
Anyone who joined the party by midnight on Thursday is eligible to vote, with results announced on September 2. Unlike other parties, the Greens hold leadership elections every two years as standard practice.
This contest was originally scheduled for 2024 but was delayed to avoid clashing with the general election. Co-leader Carla Denyer, who served alongside Ramsay since 2021, decided not to seek re-election in May.
A Green Party spokesperson said: "This is an exciting time for a party that has grown its membership, increased its MPs to four and continued its long growth in local government. Now, paid-up party members will be electing a leadership team to take the party to a new level, offering real hope and real change as the old, failed two-party system fragments."
Members will also vote in a deputy leadership election this month, choosing either one or two candidates from nine contenders depending on whether a single leader or joint leaders are elected.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
