Green Party members start choosing new leadership
Ramsay and Chowns, a former MEP, are emphasising their "decades" of political experience and encouraging members to back them "to turn values into power".Self-described "eco-populist" Polanski has instead urged members to vote for change, with "bold leadership that can cut through" on the national stage, from a gay, Jewish leader who can help the party to "scale up and diversify".Polanski characterises the current leadership as timid, failing to take the fight to Labour and Reform UK - and of communicating in a way that "has not cut through in the way we should".Ramsay and Chowns have accused Polanski of risking the party's achievements so far, which include quadrupling their number of MPs, from one to four, and doubling their councillors over the past four years, with a "polarising, strident" approach.In a lengthy thread on X, Ramsay also suggested Jeremy Corbyn and Zara Sultana's new as-yet-unnamed party "blows Zack Polanski's leadership pitch out of the water".Drama has flared a couple of times during campaigning, notably during an LBC interview where Ramsay struggled to say whether he liked Polanski for an agonisingly long time.Ramsay initially said "we've worked together" before being pressed for a yes or no answer and adding: "I've enjoyed working with Zack over the last few years, of course".As interviewer Iain Dale responded "ouch", Polanski said: "I really like Adrian, so that does hurt."Pressed further, Ramsay said: "I've worked with Zack effectively, I like working with Zack, I like Zack, I don't understand what the issue is here."The Green Party holds leadership elections every two years, but last year's scheduled poll was delayed so as not to clash with the 2024 general election.Unlike some other parties, the leader or co-leader has less of a role in setting policy, which is voted in by the membership, and is more focused on vision, strategy and communication, "ensuring a coherent and compelling message".A Green Party spokesperson said: "Since nominations opened, the contest has engaged party members and the wider public through a series of in-person and online hustings, and media appearances."Now, paid-up party members will be electing a leadership team to take the party to a new level, offering real hope and real change as the old, failed two-party system fragments."Green members will also vote in a deputy leadership election this month, choosing either one or two candidates from a list of nine, depending on whether a single leader or two co-leaders are elected.
Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
3 minutes ago
- Leader Live
How will the UK-France migrants return deal work as it comes into force?
The treaty was laid in Parliament on Tuesday, and will take effect from Wednesday with detentions expected in the coming days. The UK-France deal, which will also bring approved asylum seekers under a safe route to Britain, was agreed last month on the last day of French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the UK. Here is a closer look at the plan and what the issue is. – What is the concern over the Channel crossings? Some 25,436 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel this year – a record for this point in the year since data began being collected in 2018. This is up 48% on this point last year (17,170) and 70% higher than at this stage in 2023 (14,994), according to PA news agency analysis of Home Office data. At least 10 people have died while attempting the journey this year, according to reports by French and UK authorities, but there is no official record of fatalities in the Channel. Ministers want to end the crossings because they 'threaten lives and undermine our border security'. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said smuggling gangs have been allowed to take hold along the UK's borders over the last six years, making millions out of the dangerous journeys. On Tuesday, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed the failure to stop migrants crossing the Channel is putting community cohesion at risk. Data on the crossings of migrants in 'small boats' like inflatable dinghies has been collected since 2018. In the first year of data, just 299 people were recorded to have arrived in the UK this way. Since 2018, 94% of migrants who arrived by small boat crossing have claimed asylum in the UK, or 145,834 out of 154,354 people. – What has the Labour Government's approach been to the issue? Since Labour came to power last July, the party has vowed to 'smash the gangs'. Ministers are seeking to ramp up enforcement action against smugglers with new legislation to hand counter terror-style powers to police, and new criminal offences aiming to crack down on the illegal trade. This is my message to the people smuggling gangs: we will end your vile trade. For the very first time, migrants arriving via small boat will be detained and returned to France. My government has led the way in taking our countries' co-operation to a new level. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 10, 2025 The Government is also seeking to reset the UK's relationship with Europe over the crossings, and France has agreed to change its rules to allow police to intervene when boats are in shallow water, rather than requiring them to still be on land. Meanwhile ministers are hoping to deter new arrivals promised jobs when they come to the UK by cracking down on illegal working and deportations of ineligible asylum seekers. – What is the new deal and how will it work? Last month, the Prime Minister and French president agreed a plan to send back small boats migrants, with an asylum seeker being sent to the UK in exchange in equal numbers. Under the pilot scheme, adults arriving on a small boat can be detained and returned to France for the first time. The trial is set to run until June 11 2026, pending a longer-term agreement or cancellation by either the UK or France with one months' notice. Asylum seekers accepted to come to the UK under the deal would travel via a safe, legal route, 'subject to strict security checks'. Those in France could express an interest to apply for asylum to the UK through an online platform developed by the Home Office, and would then carry out the standard visa application process and checks. Priority will be given to people from countries where they are most likely to be granted asylum as genuine refugees, who are most likely to be exploited by smuggling gangs, and also asylum seekers who have connections to the UK. Borders are being breached by criminal gangs worldwide. Life-threatening Channel crossings have occurred for years – it is time to act. Border Security Command is how we fight back. — Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) March 4, 2025 If accepted, they would be given three months in the UK to claim asylum or apply for a visa, and would be subject to the same rules for all asylum seekers not allowed to work, study or have access to benefits. Their claim could still be rejected during their time in the UK, and they could then be removed from the country. It is not clear what the criteria will be for deciding which migrants who arrive in the UK by small boat will be sent back to France, other than being aged over 18. New arrivals will be screened at Manston processing centre, in Kent, which is current procedure, before individuals determined to be suitable for the pilot and for detention, will be picked and held in an immigration removal centre. Their removal is expected to be made on the grounds of inadmissibility, that they have arrived from the UK from a safe country where their case can be heard instead, because an agreement is in place with France. The treaty confirms the migrants would be returned back to France by plane, and commits for a return to be completed within three months in all cases. It also agrees for a joint committee to be set up to monitor the agreement and arrange logistics. Migrants will be able to appeal against the decision based on exceptional circumstances. The Home Office said it had learned from the 'lengthy legal challenges' over the previous government's Rwanda scheme and would 'robustly defend' any attempts to block removal through the courts. – How many people will be part of the pilot and much will it cost? No official number of migrants has been confirmed to take part in the pilot, but it is understood numbers will grow over the pilot period and depend on operational factors. The Home Secretary has said the Government does not want to put a number on the amount as she believes it could aid criminal gangs. It has been reported that about 50 a week could be sent to France. This would be a stark contrast to the more than 800 people every week who on average have arrived in the UK via small boat this year. There is no funding to France associated with this agreement, and operations around the returns and arrivals will be paid for from the existing Home Office budget. – What has the reaction been to the deal? Opposition politicians were scathing about the Prime Minister's deal with Mr Macron, with shadow home secretary Chris Philp claiming the small percentage of arrivals to be removed would 'make no difference whatsoever'. On Tuesday, he added: 'This deal is unworkable and wide open to abuse.' Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also branded it a 'humiliation'. Meanwhile refugee charities have also criticised the plan and have urged the Government to provide more safe, legal routes for asylum seekers instead. Reacting to the plan coming into force, Amnesty International UK's refugee rights director, Steve Valdez-Symonds, said: 'Once again, refugees are treated like parcels, not people, while the public is left to pay the price for, yet another cruel, costly failure dressed up as policy.'
The Independent
3 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ofwat chief executive David Black to stand down
The chief executive of Ofwat is to step down as the embattled water regulator prepares to be abolished. David Black will leave the role at the end of August and an interim chief executive will be appointed in due course. The Government last month announced the regulator would be axed in a regulatory shake-up that comes as part of its response to public outrage over rising bills, sewage pollution and large bonuses for bosses. Ofwat may not be formally axed until at least 2027, with the process to overhaul the current system likely to be complex. The regulator said Mr Black, who took over as chief executive in 2021 and had worked in various roles at Ofwat since 2012, had decided the time is right for him to pursue new opportunities. In a statement on Tuesday, he said: 'I have been privileged to be able to lead Ofwat over the last four years, during which time we have achieved a huge amount together as a team for customers and the environment. 'I wish the team every success as they continue their important work.' The four bodies responsible for regulating the sector have faced intense criticism for overseeing companies during the years where they paid out to shareholders and accrued large debts – while ageing infrastructure crumbled and sewage spills skyrocketed. Currently, Ofwat oversees how much water companies in England and Wales can charge for services, the Drinking Water Inspectorate ensures that public water supplies are safe, while the Environment Agency and Natural England have regulatory functions to monitor the industry's impact on nature. Under Government plans, measures will be rolled out to merge their regulatory responsibilities into a 'single, powerful' regulator – one for England and another for Wales. The move was recommended by an independent review into the sector, which was commissioned by ministers to answer public fury over the ailing state of the water sector. Led by former Bank of England governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, the review advised far-reaching changes to the way the water system is regulated as one of 88 measures to tackle problems in industry. As part of its own response to the crisis, Ofwat said it would allow firms to raise average bills from 2025 to 2030 to help finance a £104 billion upgrade for the sector as part of its so-called price review, published in December. In his statement on Tuesday, Mr Black said: 'The 2024 price review backed an investment programme of £104 billion, along with a further £50 billion investment in major new water resources, which will improve service, environmental outcomes and resilience in the years to come.' Consumer groups at the time warned that the increases were 'more than what many people can afford', with companies able to raise average bills by £157 in total over the next five years to £597 to help finance the £104 billion. Ofwat chairman Iain Coucher said: 'David has worked, tirelessly, to bring about transformational change in the water sector. 'He has sought new regulatory powers and resources to hold companies to account, taken major enforcement action and provided funding and incentive packages that drive continual improvements for customers. 'On behalf of the board and everyone at Ofwat, I would like to thank David for his leadership and his service over the last 13 years and to wish him every success in the future.'
The Sun
4 minutes ago
- The Sun
Awkward moment Love Islander's smile drops after Maya Jama makes on air joke about her
A LOVE Island star's smile dropped following Maya Jama's on-air joke about her - in an awkward moment. Many former Islanders from this year's series made return appearances for the ITV2 show's final. 4 4 4 This included Malisha Jordan, who was eliminated early on this summer. During her brief time in the villa, she clashed with Meg over getting to know Dejon. Maya caught up with axed stars including Meg and Dejon, who were dumped right before the final. When the topic of a group trip came up, the host asked: "Why didn't I get an invite? Where are we going?" Meg replied: "You can come", before turning around and asking: "Where are we going, Malisha?" At this point, Maya then said: "Oh my God, I won't be attending." Malisha had been smiling, although this dropped after the presenter's quip. The bombshell arrived on Day 5, alongside Yasmin Pettet and Emily Moran. Unfortunately, Malisha - along with Toni - found themselves at risk of being dumped on Day 8. It meant that new bombshell Harrison had the decision of who would stay. He dated both girls, but chose Toni, meaning Malisha was therefore dumped as a result. Following her exit, the teaching assistant took savage digs at her co-stars when appearing on spin-off Aftersun. During a spicy segment, Malisha was asked by an audience member to give one-word verdicts on her fellow Islanders. When it came to Shea, she didn't mince words, saying chatting to him was like 'talking to a brick wall.' Love Island winners - where they are now EVERY year Love Island opens its doors to more sexy Islanders who are hoping for a holiday romance that could turn into more. Here we take you through all of the Love Island winners so far and what their relationship statuses are now: 2025 - The summer series of Love Island saw Toni Laites and Cach Mercer win the ITV2 reality show. STATUS: Still together. 2025 - The second series of All Stars saw Gabby Allen and Case O'Gorman scoop the crown. STATUS: Broken up. 2024 - The summer Love Island saw Mimii Ngulube and Josh Oyinsan were crowned the winners. STATUS: Broken up. 2024 - The first ever All stars spin off show was won by Molly Smith and Tom Clare. STATUS: Still together. 2023 - Jess Harding and Sammy Root took home the 50k, and won the summer 2023 Love Island. STATUS: Broken up. 2023 - The first series of 2023 saw Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan crowned Love Island winners in South Africa. STATUS: Still together. 2022 - Davide Sanclimenti and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu's time in the villa was anything but a smooth ride, but they managed to win the public's hearts - and the ITV2 reality show. STATUS: Broken up. 2021 - Liam Reardon and Millie Court were announced winners of Love Island 2021. STATUS: Still together. 2020 - The first ever winter Love Island saw Paige Turley and Finn Tapp crowned winners after falling in love on the show. STATUS: Broken up. 2019 - Series 5 saw Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague runners up to winners Greg O'Shea and Amber Gill, who met in the last few days of the series. STATUS: Broken up. 2018 - It wasn't surprising fan favourites Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer won the show, as they were strong throughout. But sadly things didn't last. STATUS: Broken up. 2017 - Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies had lots of ups and downs in the villa but went on to win. STATUS: Broken up. 2016 - Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde were together from the start of the series, and since they won the show they've had two kids and are married. STATUS: Still together. 2015 - Despite poor Jess Hayes being Max Morley's second choice on the show, they did win - but they didn't last as a couple. STATUS: Broken up. Meanwhile, Malisha said her and Meg's clashing personalities were 'too similar". She also claimed Meg 'went too far' — and said they'd 'never be friends' on the outside. While things didn't quite work out with Dejon in the villa, Malisha left the door open for a post-show spark, cheekily saying they had 'unfinished business'. 4
