Adrian Ramsay will stand for re-election as Greens co-leader alongside fellow MP Ellie Chowns, with the duo vowing to position the party as ready to hold the “balance of power”.
Ramsay has served as Greens co-leader since 2021, holding office alongside Carla Denyer. Denyer and Ramsey were two of the four Green MPs elected to parliament at the 2024 general election, for the constituencies of Bristol Central and Waveney Valley respectively. It marked the Green party’s best ever performance at a general election, as Chowns (North Herefordshire) and former co-leader Siân Berry (Brighton and Hove Green) also won seats.
Denyer announced last week that she would not seek re-election as Greens co-leader, citing her intention to focus on her responsibilities as an MP, as well as campaigns such as net zero and affordable housing.
Under party rules, the Greens normally hold leadership elections every two years. However, Denyer and Ramsay were last elected in 2021, a cycle extended by timetable changes and later a delay for last year’s general election. Nominations for this year’s election open on 2 June.
The announcement from Ramsey and Chowns comes after Zack Polanski, the party’s current deputy leader, declared his own leadership bid, calling on the Greens to embrace “eco-populism”.
Polanski, a onetime member of the Liberal Democrats, has served on the London Assembly since 2021.
Chowns, a former MEP for the West Midlands, pointed to the opportunities available to the Greens as the political landscape and historic party loyalties splinter.
She said: “With the two-party system breaking down and voters disillusioned with the old, tired Westminster parties, the Green Party is on the cusp of a major political breakthrough.
“Adrian and I are ready to lead our party into its most ambitious chapter yet. We need leaders who are at the heart of national politics in Westminster. We’re confident that we can win power right across the country and use it to reshape the political landscape.”
Ramsay suggested the party must be prepared to hold the “balance of power” after the next general election.
He commented: “This is the most exciting political opportunity in a generation. We’ve shown we can win seats seen as unwinnable — and now we need to turn those victories into real power. That means electing many more MPs, speaking to and for millions, and putting Green ideas at the heart of the next government.
“It’s time to build on our proven and bold Green leadership. The climate is breaking down, inequality is deepening, and the far right is gaining ground. The Greens must be ready to lead — not just to speak up, but to act — and potentially to hold the balance of power.”
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.
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