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.

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.”

Deputy leadership candidates

Antoinette Fernandez

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

Image credit: Jon Craig – Creative Commons