I’ve been proud to lead the Greens, but I’m standing down, says Natalie Bennett
NATALIE BENNETT, the Green Party leader, has said she is going to stand down in the summer after four years at the helm.
Ms Bennett said that she would not stand for re-election when her second two-year term in office expires at the end of August.
“There have been times when I got things right, and times when I got things wrong, but that’s because I’m not a smooth, spin-trained, lifelong politician,” she told The Guardian.
“It’s both my strength and my weakness that I answer the question.”
The Australian former journalist came to prominence during the televised leaders’ debates in last year’s general election.
But while the party membership rose from 13,000 to 60,000 under her leadership, it failed to make the hoped electoral breakthrough – just holding its single parliamentary seat.
She had to apologise to her party members following an excruciating radio interview in which she blamed “brain fade” for her inability to explain a series of policies.
In a statement, Ms Bennett said that she intended to remain “fully engaged” in Green Party politics.
“I have been proud to lead a party through a period of phenomenal ex- pansion and increased impact. With the support of our passionate members and supporters we have been able to achieve much in a relatively short period,” she said.
“There’s greatly increased public understanding that when you want the honest, caring, committed view – one that isn’t guided by the views of the latest focus group or fear of a tabloid backlash, but by fundamental principles and values – you should come to the Green Party.”
Nominations for Ms Bennett’s successor will open on June 1 and close on June 30. It is believed that Caroline Lucas, the Green MP, is a likely strong contender.
A one-month balloting period will begin on July 24 with the result to be announced at the party’s autumn conference in September.