Caroline Lucas to stand down as Green Party co-leader in autumn

Sole Green MP says 'now is time for me to show the power of letting go'

Caroline Lucas has announced she will step down as one of the leaders of the Green Party in the autumn to make way for fresh talent.

The Brighton Pavilion MP – the Greens’ first and only representative in the Commons – has been co-leader with Jonathan Bartley since 2016 but she has decided not to run again, as leaders serve a two-year term under party rules.

Ms Lucas, a former MEP, said she believed new candidates ”will step up to the challenge that our increasingly febrile times present” and expressed pride in the performance of the Greens in response to the challenge from Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party.

“I won’t be seeking nominations to be a candidate in this year’s leadership election, when the process starts on Friday, but instead will be focusing even more on work in parliament and in my Brighton constituency,” Ms Lucas wrote in The Guardian.

“I believe that Jonathan and I have shown the power of working together, since we became joint Green Party leaders in September 2016, and it’s now time for me to show the power of letting go.”

The Green Party’s vote share fell 2 per cent during last year’s snap general election, as Mr Corbyn shifted Labour to the left, seizing ground usually held by the Greens.

However the party made gains in local elections, boosting their council seats by eight to a total of 39.

Ms Lucas acknowledged it was difficult for smaller parties to “swim against the political tide” but said the Greens had become a leading force in progressive politics.

She added: “We have not been eclipsed by the rise of Jeremy Corbyn but instead have used these unique circumstances to push for even more radical change, and to put our boldest policies yet before the public.”

Ms Lucas became the Greens’ first leader in 2008 and again in 2010, as the party was formerly run collectively. She was succeeded by Natalie Bennett in 2012, before running on a joint ticket with co-leader Mr Bartley in 2016.

Mr Bartley, a councillor in London, has not announced whether he will stand for re-election.

Nominations for the leadership will open on Friday and the new leadership team will be announced in September.