Cleo Lake to stand for Green Party deputy leadership
Cleo Lake – the former Lord Mayor of Bristol – is set to stand to be the next deputy leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, Bright Green can reveal. Lake has been a city councillor in Bristol since 2016 and was second on the Greens’ list for the 2019 European elections for the South West England constituency.
During Lake’s time in office as Lord Mayor, she gained national media attention for removing a portrait of slave trader Edward Colston from the Lord Mayor’s office – the same Colston who’s statue was toppled in Bristol earlier this year. She later removed the portrait of Robert Craggs-Nugent – a figure who played a key role in expanding the trans-atlantic slave trade – from the office as well, again receiving national coverage. Her Mayoralty was also celebrated with her receipt of the special recognition award at the Bristol Diversity Awards.
Widely respected in the party, and with a higher profile than most Greens in local government, Lake’s candidacy provides the first real challenge to Amelia Womack’s bid to be re-elected for a fourth term. Womack announced her intention to restand for the deputy leadership on June 17.
Speaking to Bright Green on her candidacy, Lake said she wished to “inspire other activists” to enter politics by becoming the party’s deputy leader. Lake said:
In deciding to run as deputy I am very conscious of the political landscape for women and women of colour, but representation is crucial and by standing I would hope to inspire other activists of various backgrounds to enter the political arena because I believe change can come from within and from outside of the mainstream system.
She continued by claiming that she would bring a “no-nonsense message” to the deputy leadership:
I would like to think that I bring a level of creativity, diplomacy and yet when needed, a no-nonsense message, particularly regarding equalities across a number of factors and in particular ‘class’ and race.
Lake – who works in the arts sector – also committed to bring this background into the role. She said:
As an arts advocate I would continue to incorporate an art element in my approach to leadership.
Lake joins both Womack and London based Nick Humberstone in the race for the deputy leadership. With just four days until the close of nominations, only Sian Berry and Jonathan Bartley have put their names forward for the leadership position.
The election for the next Green Party leadership team will run through the summer, with members able to vote throughout August.
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I first met Cleo at a ‘Greens of Colour’ event in Brixton a few years ago … I am sooo pleased she is standing and have every confidence she will do an excellent job in this role xxx
I remember at the opening of conference in Bristol, she spoke so well!
If she unseats the incumbent, which will be challenging, Cleo Lake would be the first Black or ‘Minority’ Woman in the UK’s very white party leaders debates.
As leader, she will inspire viewers on television, that they too as Black Women, can achieve such things as becoming Lord Mayor, or party leadership.
As well as coming across better than the former deputy leader and home affairs spokesperson, who was heavily criticized, Cleo has been active in helping Greens of Colour to be more welcome in the space at conference that has been overwhelming white middle class dominated that can feel awkward if your face doesn’t fit in or if you don’t know anyone.
After the ballot there will still need to be teamwork to impress and inspire and lead the agenda – and leadership must make sure it’s not always Caroline Lucas MP on BBC question time!
I first met Cleo at a ‘Greens of Colour’ event in Brixton a few years ago … I am sooo pleased she is standing and have every confidence she will do an excellent job in this role xxx
OK, I now realise that this information is provided by the candidates themselves when they ‘declare’ their candidacy to the members, as opposed to submitting it to the ERO. I wonder if those who have not declared realise that they are missing out on valuable publicity in what might prove to be a closely-fought competition.
Very excited to see a BAME candidate for a senior Green Party position. We need to clearly and decisively broaden our base to appeal to a much wider audience, and this is a positive step in the right direction!
Absolutely agree …xx
Chris Jarvis
Is the information about election candidates coming from the Election Returning Officer or is it reliant on the initiative of the candidates or their supporters?