A photo of placards being raised at Westminster that read "Vote Green Party"

Nominations are now open in this year’s election for the Green Party leadership, and the last few weeks have seen a flurry of activity. As such, we’re kicking off our regular round up of all the big developments in the election.

Carla Denyer announces she’s not restanding for the Green Party leadership

One of the most important announcements of the early campaign related to someone who isn’t standing rather than someone who is. Carla Denyer, who has been one of the party’s co-leaders since 2021 announced that she wouldn’t be seeking re-election.

Making her announcement, Denyer said: “For me, my guiding light has always been ‘How can I make the biggest positive impact?’. And I’ve decided that for the next few years, the best way I can serve the party and the country is to pour all of my skills, passion and energy into being the best MP I can be, in Parliament and in Bristol Central.”

Zack Polanski announces leadership bid

Before Denyer’s announcement though, came Zack Polanski’s. For the uninitiated, Polanski is the Green Party’s current deputy leader and he was the first candidate to announce he’s standing to be the party’s next leader.

Launching his leadership bid through an interview with the Guardian, Polanski said: “There’s an empty space in politics, where we’re not being as bold as we can be. Being sensible and professional are good qualities. But I don’t think they should be the central qualities.”

This was followed by a flurry of other media appearances in which he laid out in more depth his pitch for the leadership, along with the launch of his campaign website and video.

In that video, Polanski said he wanted to build ‘a party that knows that inequality is at the heart of all of our problems’, and ‘a party that will confront fascism and call a genocide exactly what it is’.

Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay announce leadership bid

Mere days after Polanski’s announcement, another leadership ticket emerged. This time it was the co-leadership bid of two MPs – Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns.

Speaking on their announcement, Chowns 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.”

Ramsay added: “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.”

Antoinette Fernandez announces deputy leadership bid

Less high profile, but nonetheless deeply important for the future of the Green Party is the deputy leadership election. First out the gates was Antoinette Fernandez.

Fernandez has stood in a number of different elections in Hackney, always coming second to Labour.

In her announcement, Fernandez said: “Reform have shown us that people are voting for them not just because they are canvassing and door knocking”, but for their “jokey, charismatic leader”, adding that “we need leaders that can combat that, that can drive people towards the left, to vote for our party.”

Thomas Daw announces deputy leadership bid

Fernandez isn’t the only candidate who has thrown their hat into the ring. North Somerset Councillor Thomas Daw also announced he’s in the running for deputy leader.

Announcing his candidacy on X, Daw said: “I’m running for deputy leader! Why? For too long young people haven’t been represented on a national level. The working class is getting crushed for the benefit of billionaires and the country, I love, is crumbling. It’s time for real change, delivered with strong leadership!”

Endorsements, endorsements, endorsements

As with any election, this year’s Green Party leadership contest has been rife with endorsements from high profile figures backing the different candidates.

Among the high profile figures backing Zack Polanski are the writer Owen Jones, the Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter, and London Assembly member Zoe Garbett.

Meanwhile, Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay have been backed by former Green MP Caroline Lucas, former Green MEP Molly Scott Cato and Mid Suffolk Council leader Andy Mellen.

We’re keeping an eye on all the endorsements here.

Image credit: Bristol Green Party – Public Domain