Caroline Lucas elected Green Party leader party again – in job share
THE Green Party's only MP has been elected leader and will share the role with the party's work and pensions spokesman, Jonathan Bartley.
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The pair have spoken of wanting to form a "progressive alliance" with Labour and others, not to stand candidates against each other to stop the Conservatives being elected.
The contest was triggered when Australian Natalie Bennett announced in May that she is stepping down after four years in the job, saying she is not a “spin-trained, lifelong politician”.
MP Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley are standing as a job share
Australian Natalie Bennett announced in May that she is stepping down after four years in the job
Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, has publicly dismissed the idea of such a pact, but Miss Lucas has reportedly said he has “not shut the door” on the idea of talks once the Labour leadership election is over.
Miss Lucas led the Greens before Miss Bennett took over in 2012 and is the party's best-known face, but Mr Bartley is a less familiar figure.
Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, has publicly dismissed the idea of such a pact
He stood against Labour's Chuka Umunna in Streatham in south London at the last election, coming fourth behind the Tories and the Lib Dems.
Under Miss Bennett the Green Party's membership has surged to more than 60,000 people, but they have struggled to translate that into success at the ballot box and still only have one MP.
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Jonathan Bartley stood against Labour's Chuka Umunna in Streatham, London at the last election
Five other candidates are also standing for leader. They are Clive Lord, David Malone, Martie Warin, Simon Cross and David Williams.
The new leader will be announced at the Green Party conference in Birmingham.