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Caroline Lucas elected as Green Party leader in job

The Green’s leadership contest was triggered after Natalie Bennett announced in May that she would step down after four years in the role, saying she is not a “spin-trained, lifelong politician”.

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The pair also spoke of “taking back control” of the banking system, schools, communities and the energy system, and called for an end to the use of fossil fuels, nuclear energy and fracking.

They said: “Imagine a new plan that will meet our obligations to future generations”.

She said: “Since we last met as a party, our country has been shaken by the bitterly fought European Union referendum campaign and its political fallout”.

Borrowing the key slogan of the Leave campaign, Ms Lucas said that Greens would “give people real control” by nationalising the railways, reining in the banks, keeping the NHS out of private hands and reforming the energy system.

Mr Bartley confirmed the pair will seek “progressive alliances” with other parties in the hope of overcoming the obstacle which the first-past-the-post system presents to smaller parties winning representation at Westminster.

Bartley said: “We stand here, more united as a party with two leaders than others are with one”.

“We are resolute in wanting to explore the potential for progressive alliances with other parties that will deliver fair votes, that will deliver more elected Greens than ever before”, said Mr Bartley.

“We’re very flattered that the Labour Party has been moving in our direction and taken on a lot of ideas”.

The Lucas/Bartley joint ticket was the overwhelming victor in the contest, with 88% of the 15,467 votes cast. “We can talk with authority and authenticity about doing things differently, because we are”.

She said her party would aim to reach out to voters who may not traditionally consider voting Green especially residents living in poverty.

The pair – who won the overwhelming support of the party’s membership – have today promised policies that enable people to “take control” of their lives.

Also in the running are Simon Cross, who contested the Essex seat of Rochford and Southend East in the 2015 general election, long-serving member Clive Lord, film-maker David Malone, parish councillor Martie Warin and David Williams, who leads the Green group on Oxfordshire County Council.

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He said he was proud to be the first of Britain’s party leaders in a job-share, which he said demonstrated “both the power of working together and the importance of striking a healthy balance between work and family and other commitments”.

Caroline Lucas elected co-leader of Green Party with Jonathan Bartley