Time to turn wins into power, says Waveney Valley MP Adrian Ramsay on Green leadership battle
A Norfolk MP has said his party stand on the cusp of the “most exciting political opportunity in a generation” after launching a fresh leadership campaign.
Adrian Ramsay, who made history in last year’s general election when he was returned as Norfolk’s first Green MP, has joined forces with Ellie Chowns to become the new co-leaders of the party.
The 43-year-old, who represents the Waveney Valley constituency in the House of Commons, is seeking re-election as co-leader after Bristol Central MP Carla Denyer confirmed she would not stand.
Over the past four years, under the pair’s leadership, the Green Party has quadrupled its MPs, doubled its councillors, and expanded its influence into more than 40 local authority administrations.
“This is the most exciting political opportunity in a generation,” said Mr Ramsay. “We have shown we can win seats seen as unwinnable. Now, we need to turn those victories into real power.
“That means electing many more MPs, speaking to and for millions, and putting Green ideas at the heart of the next government.
“It is time to build on our proven and bold Green leadership. The climate is breaking down, inequality is deepening, and the far right is gaining ground.
“The Greens must be ready to lead – not just to speak up, but to act – and potentially to hold the balance of power.”
Ms Chowns, MP for North Herefordshire, said the pair were ready to lead the party in its most ambitious chapter yet.
“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,” she said.
“We need leaders who are at the heart of national politics in Westminster. We are confident that we can win power right across the country and use it to reshape the political landscape.”
The pair have joined the leadership contest against the party’s deputy leader, Zack Polanski, a strong advocate for electoral reform, who launched his campaign last week.
Under party rules, there can be one leader but, if two co-leaders are elected, they must be of different genders.
Mr Polanski, who has been deputy of the party since 2022 and has been labelled an ‘eco-populist’, said he wants to see a shift in the way the party is run.
He has advocated for the Green Party to be less timid, saying that it needed to become a mass-membership political force capable of challenging Reform UK.
He said: “The Labour Government is failing; the planet is burning.
“People are looking for somewhere to turn. Nigel Farage and his billionaire mates don’t have any real solutions. It’s time to rise up.
“We need bold action and bold leadership now. And that is why I am standing to be the leader of the Green Party.”
He has also criticised the current Labour government’s approach to net-zero, claiming that the wealthy and big business should pay for the transition to green energy via a wealth tax.
Nominations to lead the party open on June 2, with members voting throughout August before the results are announced on September 2.
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