2025 Green Party of England and Wales leadership election

2025 Green Party of England and Wales leadership election
1–30 August 2025 (2025-08-01 – 2025-08-30)
 
Green Party Group Shot 6.jpg
Adrian Ramsay MP portrait cropped.jpg
Official portrait of Ellie Chowns MP.jpg
Candidate Zack Polanski Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns
Incumbent Leaders

Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay


An internal Green Party of England of Wales election will be held in the summer of 2025 to elect the leader in line with the party's constitution.[1] This election is being held concurrently with the party's deputy leadership election and other elections to the executive of the party.[2]

Background

According to the constitution of the Green Party of England and Wales, leader(s) of the party are elected every two years. Candidates can either put themselves forward as individuals or as a co-leadership team of two people. In the event of a single leader, the party will have two deputy leaders.[3] The election due to take place in 2024 was postponed due to the UK general election following a motion passed at the party's 2023 Autumn Conference.[4] Because of this, the term of the leader will only be for one year.

In May 2025, Carla Denyer announced her decision to not seek re-election as co-leader and focus on being an MP.[5]

Electoral system

Candidates for the leader of the party may run either solo or as joint tickets of two candidates; candidates for the deputy leader position must run solo. Members running on a joint-leadership ticket must not be of the same gender.[6][3]

The elections are held under a alternative vote system.[6] There is an option to reopen nominations on the ballot.[1] The spending limit for all leadership candidate bids (solo or joint) is £1,000, and £500 for all other candidates.[1]

Timetable

2025 GPEW leadership election timetable[7][2]
Date(s) Relevant deadline/period
3 May Notice of election published[8]
2 June Nominations open (10 am BST)
30 June Nominations close (12 noon)
2 July Statement of Persons Nominated published
3 July Campaign period begins
1 August Ballots open
30 August Ballots close (12 noon)
1 September Deadline for postal ballots
2 September Results announced

Campaign

Two slates were nominated: a joint ticket by incumbent co-leader Adrian Ramsay alongside Ellie Chowns, and a separate ticket of Zack Polanski standing as a single candidate. The senior political correspondent of The Guardian, Peter Walker, said that the election has presented Green members with a choice similar to that in the last election in 2021: either "election-focused professionals" or "insurgent activists". He also made the point that the joint Ramsay/Chowns ticket was expected to be the favourites, but suggested that any side could win.[9]

Before nominations closed, the Green-focused political blog, Bright Green, published an article suggesting that the race would be between the two high-profile tickets, and that it was unlikely any third ticket could garner enough support to win.[10] Polanski has been variously described as the 'favourite' (New Statesman, 8 July[11]) and the 'frontrunner' (Huffington Post, 26 July;[12] Financial Times, 6 August[13]). Summarising commentator opinion, The Guardian suggested that those expressing a view thought that Polanski would win, 'perhaps quite easily'; in the same live blog covering a hustings, they claimed there was 'nothing' that suggested the commentator consensus was wrong.[14]

On the day voting opened, on 1 August, Channel 4 suggested that the leadership race was one focused on "style over substance" and what groups the Greens should appeal to. They said that "there isn't much difference in the two sides' offerings".[15]

Zack Polanski

On 5 May 2025, Zack Polanski, the incumbent deputy leader of the party, announced his campaign to become party leader. To the The Guardian, Polanski suggested he wanted to make the party more visible and take a more eco-populist direction.[16][17][18] In the campaign he has advocated for the Green Party to be less timid, saying that they needed to become a bold mass-membership political force capable of challenging Reform UK and Nigel Farage.[16][18][19] He has also said that the party should "learn" from Farage, especially from his communication skills.[20]

Polanski has said that the Green Party having a single leader instead of a co-leader would allow the party to more effectively convey its message in the media, and has argued that leftist candidates are best placed to grow the party in parliament.[18] He has also indicated that he would welcome into the Green Party both Labour left MPs and left-wing independent MPs disaffected with the current Labour government.[18][21]

Polanski has criticised the Labour government's approach to net-zero, arguing that the wealthy and big business should pay via a wealth tax for the green transition, rather than individuals.[19] Polanski has taken a more critical position on NATO, telling the Byline Times on 8 May that he believed the UK's membership of NATO was untenable, in part due to Donald Trump's threats to annex Greenland. He instead advocated for "international alliances based on peace".[22]

Polanski has faced scrutiny for having been a member of the Green Party only since 2017, having defected from the Liberal Democrats, and for his former career in hypnotherapy, including involvement in an article in The Sun where he provided hypnotherapy (without charge) for breast enlargement to a journalist, for which he subsequently apologised.[16][23][24]

Polanski formally launched his campaign online on 11 May, with more than 300 people in attendance.[25] On 5 June, Polanski released an open letter, in which 107 Green councillors had signed to support him.[26] On 6 June, the Bright Green blog published an article saying that Polanski had generated higher media coverage for his leadership campaign.[21]

During the leadership election campaign, former Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana launched a new left-wing party. Polanski responded, saying he would be open to cooperating with this new party.[27]

Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns

As Carla Denyer announced on 8 May she would not seek re-election so as to focus on work as an MP, this meant that incumbent co-leader Adrian Ramsay would either have to seek another co-candidate, or stand as a single lone candidate.[5] On 11 May, Ramsay launched a joint leadership bid with fellow MP Ellie Chowns.[28] Both MPs were first elected in rural, formerly Conservative-voting seats, which they pointed to as evidence that they would win over new supporters, rather than appealing to their base.[18][29] As such, the pair hope to be able to appeal to a wide coalition of voters, including former conservatives.[29] Chowns said the two would make a "really well-matched pair". Ramsay also said that it would be hard for someone who is not an MP to lead the party.[21][30][29]

Ramsay faced criticism for his refusal to give a firm answer on whether he believed trans women are women, and for stating that people with anti-trans views should not be expelled from the Green Party.[31] He has also faced criticism for opposing the construction of electric pylons in his constituency.[28][32]

The duo formally launched their campaign online on 20 May, with over 150 people in attendance.[33] On 6 June, the Bright Green blog published an article saying that the Ramsay–Chowns joint bid was emphasising its professionalism.[21]

Chowns rejected the idea of an alliance with Corbyn and Sultana's new party.[34] Ramsay later argued that the new party "blows Zack Polanski's leadership pitch out of the water".[35]

Candidates

The candidate lists were released on 2 July. There were 2 candidacies (solo or joint) for the leadership, 9 candidates for the deputy leadership, and several other candidates for other internal positions. Two roles were contested by only one candidacy and would only face 'reopen nominations'.[36][37][38]

Candidate(s) Slogan Political office Announced Campaign Source(s)
Green Party Group Shot 6.jpg
Zack Polanski 		Bold Leadership. Now. Deputy Leader of the Green Party
(2022–present)

Member of the London Assembly
(2021–present)

5 May 2025
backzack.com 		[16][39]

Adrian Ramsay 		Together We Win Co-leader of the Green Party
(2021–present)

MP for Waveney Valley
(2024–present)

 11 May 2025
www.ellie-adrian-2025.org 		[40][28]

Ellie Chowns 		MP for North Herefordshire
(2024–present)

Spokesperson for Housing and Communities
(2024–present)

Explored

Declined

Hustings and debates

The debates that took place for the leadership were as follows:

Date Title Host Participants Link Wider coverage
Polanski Ramsay/Chowns
13 July Green Party: Leader debate The New Statesman podcast Present Present (Ramsay) YouTube
17 July Pod Save the UK's Green Party debate Pod Save the UK Present Present (Chowns) YouTube
23 July Green Party leadership debate LBC (Iain Dale) Present Present (Ramsay) YouTube [44][15]

There were also a number of hustings across the country for the leadership, and for other Green Party Executive roles, both those organised by the party,[45][46][14] and ones at events like Glastonbury festival.[47]

Endorsements

Zack Polanski

Former or incumbent elected officials

Others

Publications

Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns

Former or incumbent elected officials

Others

Polls

All GB voters

Dates
conducted 		Pollster Client Sample
size 		Zack Polanski Chowns
and Ramsay 		Lead
15–19 Aug 2025 FocalData n/a 1,500 65% 35% 30

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Shahrar Ali was suspended from the GPEW following complaints in 2022,[41] but has been attempting to have his membership reinstated through a legal process.[42]

References

  1. ^ a b c "2025 Internal Elections". Green Party. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b "2025 Internal Elections". Green Party. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Our Constitution". Green Party. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  4. ^ Jarvis, Chris (5 May 2025). "Zack Polanski announces he's running to be the next leader of the Green Party". Bright Green. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b c Walker, Peter (8 May 2025). "Carla Denyer says she will not stand again as Greens co-leader to focus on MP role". Guardian News.
  6. ^ a b Jarvis, Chris (9 June 2025). "Everything you need to know about the Green Party leadership election". Bright Green. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  7. ^ Brawn, Steph (5 May 2025). "Green deputy launches surprise bid to oust leaders in England and Wales". The National. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  8. ^ "Notice of Election: GPEW election of leaders and executive" (PDF). Green Party of England and Wales. 5 May 2025.
  9. ^ Walker, Peter (12 May 2025). "Green party must choose again between election-focused or activist leaders". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  10. ^ Jarvis, Chris (12 May 2025). "Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay launch Green Party co-leadership bid". Bright Green. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  11. ^ Clarke-Ezzidio, Harry (8 July 2025). "Are we entering a new era of left-wing infighting?". New Statesman. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Exclusive: Green Party Frontrunner Zack Polanski On Trying To Make It From Outside 'Dull' Westminster". HuffPost UK. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  13. ^ Gross, Anna (6 August 2025). "Green party must tap into 'people's anger', says leadership frontrunner". www.ft.com. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  14. ^ a b Sparrow, Andrew; Badshah, Nadeem; Coughlan, Joe; Badshah (30 July 2025). "Zack Polanski claims he can 'cut through' at Green party leadership hustings focused on how to counter Farage – as it happened". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  15. ^ a b Popp, Anja (31 July 2025). "Green party members elect new leader: who are the candidates?". Channel 4 News. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  16. ^ a b c d Walker, Peter (5 May 2025). "Green deputy launches leadership bid with UK 'eco-populism' vision". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  17. ^ Shone, Ethan (16 May 2025). "Zack Polanski: "We don't have time for 'briefcase politics'"". openDemocracy. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  18. ^ a b c d e Self, Josh (10 June 2025). "Will the Green Party embrace a populist turn?". Politics.co.uk. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  19. ^ a b Kenyon, Megan (10 May 2025). "The eco-populist against net zero". New Statesman. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  20. ^ Pogrund, Gabriel (28 June 2025). "Green firebrand challenges Corbynites: Join me in the radical left". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  21. ^ a b c d Jarvis, Chris (6 June 2025). "Four things we learnt from Zack Polanski's leadership campaign media appearances". Bright Green. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  22. ^ Bienkov, Adam (8 May 2025). "Green Party Deputy Leader Zack Polanski Says UK Must Leave NATO Because of Trump". Byline Times. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  23. ^ Barradale, Greg (6 June 2025). "Zack Polanski on making Starmer more scared of the Greens than Reform". The Big Issue.
  24. ^ Bradley, Sorcha (14 May 2025). "Zack Polanski: The 'eco-populist' running for Green Party leader". The Week.
  25. ^ Jarvis, Chris (18 May 2025). "300+ people attend Zack Polanski's campaign launch". Bright Green. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  26. ^ Crowther, Zoe (5 June 2025). "Over 100 Green Councillors Sign Letter Backing Zack Polanski's Leadership Bid". Politics Home. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  27. ^ Walker, Peter (25 July 2025). "Zack Polanski 'open' to working with new Corbyn and Sultana party". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  28. ^ a b c "Green Party leadership contest: Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns bid". BBC News. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  29. ^ a b c d e Kenyon, Megan (7 June 2025). "The eco-centrists want the Green Party back". New Statesman. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  30. ^ Walker, Peter (12 May 2025). "Adrian Ramsay to stand for re-election as Greens co-leader with Ellie Chowns". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  31. ^ Billson, Chantelle (6 May 2025). "Green Party deputy launches leadership bid – what's his stance on trans rights?". PinkNews. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  32. ^ Morton, Becky (8 May 2025). "Carla Denyer won't seek re-election as Green Party co-leader". BBC News. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  33. ^ Jarvis, Chris (20 May 2025). "Ellie Chowns and Adrian Ramsay claim they can win "potentially dozens" of Green MPs at leadership campaign launch". Bright Green. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  34. ^ "Green Party hopeful shuts down calls for alliance with Corbyn and Sultana's new left-wing movement". LBC. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  35. ^ "Green Party members start choosing new leadership". BBC News. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  36. ^ "The Candidates". Green Party. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  37. ^ Jarvis, Chris (2 July 2025). "Full list of 2025 Green Party Executive (GPEx) candidates announced". Bright Green. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  38. ^ Walker, Peter (2 July 2025). "Green party leadership race is between joint-MP ticket and deputy's 'eco-populism' bid". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  39. ^ Booth, Martin (6 May 2025). "Denyer challenged for leadership of Green Party". Bristol24/7. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  40. ^ "Westminster Hour". BBC Radio 4. 11 May 2025. 07:50. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  41. ^ "Greens expel activist Shahrar Ali who won discrimination claim". BBC News. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  42. ^ a b c d Rodgers, Sienna; Church, Sophie (16 May 2025). "The Other Insurgent Party: Should The Greens Turn Left With Eco-Populism?". Politics Home. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  43. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Green Party leadership endorsements tracker". Bright Green. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  44. ^ Scott, Geraldine (25 July 2025). "Greens MP struggles to say if he likes party leadership rival". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  45. ^ "Hustings". Green Party. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  46. ^ "Green Party leadership candidates to attend South West hustings in Bath". Midsomer Norton, Radstock and District Journal. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  47. ^ "Politics at Glastonbury a 'festival within a festival'". BBC News. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  48. ^ Walker, Peter (17 August 2025). "Zack Polanski pulling away in race to be party leader, senior Greens believe". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  49. ^ Brown, Rivkah (25 June 2025). "Zack Polanski Is Done Talking". Novara Media. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  50. ^ Sharland, Hannah (31 July 2025). "The Canary says it's time to 'back Zack' in the Green Party leadership election".
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