A poster reading "Vote Green Party" on the back of a chair

With runners and riders announcing their bids, the Green Party’s leadership election is in full swing. Voting opens in August, but a number of high profile figures have already started to announce they’re backing one candidate or other.

We’ve put together this tracker to keep an eye on who’s endorsed each candidates.

Before we get to the list, here’s some explanation as to who we’re including:

  • MPs (current and former)
  • Former MEPs
  • London Assembly members (current and former)
  • Peers
  • Party spokespeople
  • Former party leaders, deputy leaders and candidates for these positions
  • Members of the Green Party Executive
  • MSPs
  • Group leaders on Councils
  • Otherwise prominent individuals within and outside the party

Using these criteria will hopefully give a good overview of the significant individuals both inside and outside the party without it becoming an unmanageably large list. That’s why, for example, we’ve not included all councillors who have made an endorsement.

With that out the way, here’s the tracker.

Leadership candidates

Zack Polanski

  • Owen Jones (journalist) – Writing for the Guardian, Owen Jones all but confirmed he was backing Polanski’s campaign. Concluding his column, Jones wrote: “There’s an ever-growing constituency of disillusionment to Labour’s left: but, right now, it is fragmented and demoralised. Polanski is the Greens’ best bet to turn that around – but it will be no easy task.”
  • Anthony Slaughter (Wales Green Party leader) – Speaking at Polanski’s campaign launch, Anthony Slaughter said: “I believe Zack is the person to take us to the next level and get our voice out there.”
  • Zoe Garbett (London Assembly Member) – Speaking at Polanski’s campaign launch, Zoe Garbett said he was the “bold leader that we need”.
  • Catherine Rowett (former MEP, Green Party work and social security spokesperson) – Catherine Rowett spoke at Polanski’s campaign launch to say she was backing his bid as it would provide “provocative, loud and clear” leadership.
  • Philip Davies (Wales Green Party deputy leader) – Writing on Twitter, Philip Davies backed Polanski, saying: “I believe Zack Polanski is the best candidate to help us connect with more people ahead of next year’s Senedd election.”
  • Elliot Tong (Cambridgeshire County Council Green Group leader) – On Twitter, Elliot Tong said: “I am excited to #backzack at our leadership election.”
  • Larry Sanders (former Green Party health spokesperson, former Oxfordshire County Councillor) – On Twitter, Larry Sanders said that “Zack’s campaign for leader can change Britain” and that “like my brother Bernie, embodies passion”.
  • Rosi Sexton (former Green Party leadership candidate) – In a post on Bluesky, Rosi Sexton said: “The Greens need Zack. UK politics needs Zack.”
  • Benali Hamdache (leader of Green Group on Islington Council) – Benali Hamdache said in an endorsement: “He is a team player and willing to be bold. He’s what we need to deliver more Green MPs.”
  • Stuart Jeffrey (leader of Maidstone Borough Council) – In a post on Facebook, Stuart Jeffrey said: “I’m backing Zack because his is the loud, clear voice of Green politics that we urgently need.”
  • David Francis (leader of the Green Group on Darlington Council) – In a post on Bluesky, David Francis said: “Zack offers something genuinely different: bold, hopeful, unifying leadership rooted in Green values. I’m proud to back him for leader.
  • Thelma Walker (former Labour MP) – In a post on X, former Labour MP Thelma Walker simply said: “I’m backing @ZackPolanski”.
  • Hannah Spencer (leader of Green Group on Trafford Council) – Listed on Polanski’s campaign website as an endorser, Spencer is quoted as saying: “Zack will do a brilliant job of encouraging people to join the party, particularly working class voices all across the country.”
  • Chris Copeman (leader of  Green Group on Cheshire West and Chester Council) – Chris Copeman was one of the more than 100 councillors who signed an open letter backing Polanski.
  • David Marsh (leader of  Green Group on West Berkshire Council) – David Marsh was one of the more than 100 councillors who signed an open letter backing Polanski.
  • Doug Rouxel (leader of Green Group on Stafford Borough Council – Doug Rouxel was one of the more than 100 councillors who signed an open letter backing Polanski.
  • Katrina Giles (co-leader of Green Group on Ashford Council) – Katrina Giles was one of the more than 100 councillors who signed an open letter backing Polanski.
  • Laura Edie (leader of Green Group on Dartford Council) – Laura Edie was one of the more than 100 councillors who signed an open letter backing Polanski.
  • Laura Manston (leader of the Green Group on Sevenoaks Council) – Laura Manston  was one of the more than 100 councillors who signed an open letter backing Polanski.
  • Nate Higgins (leader of the Green Group on Newham Council) – Nate Higgins was one of the more than 100 councillors who signed an open letter backing Polanski.
  • Rich Lehman (leader of the Green Group on Swale Council) – Rich Lehman was one of the more than 100 councillors who signed an open letter backing Polanski.
  • Simon Grover (leader of the Green Group on St Albans Council) – Simon Grover was one of the more than 100 councillors who signed an open letter backing Polanski.
  • Steve Campkin (co-leader of the Green Group on Ashford Council) – Steve Campkin was one of the more than 100 councillors who signed an open letter backing Polanski.
  • Steve Davis (convenor of the Green Group on Brighton & Hove Council) – Steve Davis was one of the more than 100 councillors who signed an open letter backing Polanski.
  • Rachel Millward (leader of Wealden Council) – Before announcing she was standing for the party’s deputy leadership, Millward released a video setting out why she was backing Polanski.
  • Grace Blakeley (author and campaigner) – Grace Blakeley said that she joined the Green Party in order to vote for Zack Polanski.
  • Caroline Russell (London Assembly member) – In an endorsement posted on social media, Caroline Russell said: “For the winner of this hard contested election there’s a huge job to do enthusing our rapidly growing membership and building teams across the country to keep knocking on doors and delivering the newsletters that will win the new green councillors and MPs our communities so desperately need. I’m clear that Zack has the determination, enthusiasm and skills to do this.”

Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay

  • Caroline Lucas (former MP) – Caroline Lucas has provided an endorsement for Chowns and Ramsay, saying that it was important that the next leader(s) come from the party’s crop of MPs and that ‘this is a time for the energy and experience of elected office that Ellie and Adrian can offer”.
  • Amanda Onwuemene (Chair of Global Majority Greens, Green Party spokesperson for policing and domestic safety) – Amanda Onwuemene provided an endorsement in which she stated “I’m supporting Adrian and Ellie as they have the experience as Green Party Councillors and MPs – roles which I believe are crucial as a basis of a leadership role of a political party.”
  • Andy Mellen (Mid Suffolk District Council leader) – Andy Mellen provided an an endorsement for Chowns and Ramsay. In that, he said they have a “proven track record of winning and representing communities”.
  • Catherine Braun (Stroud District Council Green Group leader) – Catherine Braun endorsed Chowns and Ramsay on the day of the pair’s campaign launch, saying: “With their skills and experience, I’m confident the Green Party can build on recent electoral success and attract support from across the political spectrum to elect even more Green MPs and councillors.”
  • Jonathan Porritt (Author and campaigner) – Jonathan Porritt wrote an endorsement for Chowns and Ramsay in which he said: “They are both remarkable individuals in their own right and have grown into formidable spokespeople for the party over the last few years.”
  • Molly Scott Cato (Former MEP and External Communications Coordinator on the Green Party Executive) – Molly Scott Cato backed Chowns and Ramsay at the point of their campaign launch, saying: “Our party needs to get serious about power. Ellie and Adrian understand what power is about. Not influence, not campaigning, but real power.”
  • Andrew Cooper (Kirklees Council Green Group leader and former candidate for Green Party deputy leader) – Endorsing Chowns and Ramsay, Cooper said: “They will broaden the appeal of the Green Party and provide the accessible alternative to Reform UK”.
  • Jennie Jones (member of the House of Lords) – Jenny Jones wrote on Twitter: “Ellie and Adrian are about winning big together. They are serious about @TheGreenParty winning seats at every level, and about party unity.”
  • Kai Taylor (Knowsley Council Green Group leader) – Kai Taylor said: “We have to build a broad coalition of voters, Ellie and Adrian have a proven track record of winning people over at the ballot box, not just on Twitter!”
  • Tony Dyer (Bristol City Council leader) – Tony Dyer said: “As a leader of a major city, it has become increasingly clear to me how important it is to have elected Greens in the room when decisions are made. I am supporting Ellie and Adrian because they clearly understand the importance of winning elections to deliver on our ambitions.”
  • Rupert Read (academic and former Councillor) – Rupert Read said: “The hard times that are coming are going to require both steel and inspiration. Adrian and Ellie can deliver these in spades.”
  • Mags Lewis (Green Party disability spokesperson) – Mags Lewis said: “Ellie and Adrian are hard-working experienced and fearless MPs, environmental and social justice champions. They’re formidable leaders who unite integrity and grit.”
  • Helen Geake (Internal Communications Coordinator on the Green Party Executive) – Helen Geake said: “I’m supporting Ellie and Adrian because they have the experience, integrity and judgement that we need to lead the Green Party.”
  • Tom Scott (Campaigns Coordinator on the Green Party Executive) – Tom Scott said: “Ellie and Adrian both won ‘unwinnable’ seats for the Green Party and as co-leaders could win many more. By reaching out toa  broad range of voters with integrity, clarity and conviction, they could put the Greens into a pivotal position after the next election.”
  • Zoe Nicholson (Leader of Lewes District Council) – Zoe Nicholson shared an endorsement Kai Taylor had posted on X, saying: “Well said Kai! We’ve quadrupled our number of MPs and councillors in the last 4 years under the current leadership. Yes we are facing unprecedented times and not voting for leadership that has such a track record risks our success in future.”
  • Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall (chef and broadcaster) – In a post shared on Ellie Chowns’ Facebook page, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall said: “I’m confident that a Green Party led by these two elected Green MPs, who have both shown winning ways and bravery on the benches, will go from strength to strength in the coming years.”
  • Caroline Topping (East Suffolk District Council leader) – Caroline Topping said: “I’m pleased to be supporting Ellie and Adrian. They both have the energy and drive that we need in our Leaders”.
  • Ian Davison (Warwick District Council leader) – In an endorsement shared on Facebook, Ian Davison said: “I’m endorsing Ellie and Adrian as they: seek to unite, avoiding divisive politics; find the right balance between Green ideals and practical politics; have passion, knowledge, immense energy and are able to convey our key principles”.
  • Craig Simmons (former Lord Mayor of Oxford) – In an endorsement shared on Facebook, Craig Simmons said: “The Green Party is about steady, sustainable growth. It is about promoting policies and not personalities. It is about professionalism, building trust with the electorate and appealing to a broad voter base. We need to build on the successes of recent years. We need to get behind Adrian and Ellie; they are the natural choice to take the Greens forward.”

Deputy leadership candidates

Frank Adlington-Stringer

  • Callum Clafferty (Young Greens co-chair) – In an endorsement shared on Instagram, Callum Clafferty said: “Frank has the energy, experience and the track record to scale up the Green Party into a force for radical change.”
  • Elliot Tong (Cambridge Council Green Group leader) – In an endorsement shared on Instagram, Elliot Tong said: “Frank has already demonstrated that they have the knowledge, talent, and charism to cut through to the general public. We need a strong deputy leader; we need Frank Adlington-Stringer.”
  • Rosi Sexton (former Green Party leadership candidate) – In an endorsement shared on Instagram, Rosi Sexton said: “A big part of the deputy leader job is being a media spokesperson, and Frank has demonstrated an ability to do this.”
  • Ciara Alleyne (Young Greens co-chair) – In an endorsement shared on Instagram, Ciara Alleyne said: “Frank is an excellent and inspiring communicator, and I have no doubt he will make a brilliant deputy leader.”
  • Phil Davies (Wales Green Party deputy leader) – In an endorsement shared on Instagram, Phil Davies said: “Frank is not only a great communicator but also has a deep understanding of the strategy and hard work needed to help us grow as a political force.”

Antoinette Fernandez

  • Heydon Prowse (Political satirist) – Heydon Prowse responded to Fernandez’ Instagram post announcing her candidacy by saying ‘got my vote’.

Rachel Millward

  • Nate Higgins (Newham Council Green Group leader) – In an endorsement on Rachel Millward’s campaign website, Nate Higgins said: “Rachel brings the strategy, empathy, and integrity our leadership team needs to grow our movement and win real change – and to take the fight to Reform.”
  • Stuart Jeffery (Maidstone Borough Council Leader) – In an endorsement on her website, Stewart Jeffrey said of Rachel Millward: “Rachel is exactly who we need to get our unique messages across to the widest possible audiences and to do it fearlessly.”

Ani Townsend

  • Gareth Dennis (rail campaigner) – In an endorsement on Ani Townsend’s website, Gareth Dennis said: “In the time I’ve known Ani, they’ve shown themself to have a relentless drive to do what’s right – and what works. As the [Green Party] pivots towards a party in power, their qualities will be perfect to ensure we maximise our impact without losing our ideals.”

Image credit: Jon Craig – Creative Commons