Caroline Lucas backs Sian Berry for Brighton Pavilion race

Party members are voting to decide who should represent the Green Party to contest the next election in the constituency - the only seat held by the party in Parliament.

Ms Lucas, who has represented the city since 2010, announced she would stand down at the next general election to focus more on climate activism.

She has announced her support for Sian Berry in her bid to be the next Green MP for the constituency, praising her “proven track record of ground-breaking campaigning and public service”.

Ms Lucas said: “There could be no better person to stand up for Brighton Pavilion residents in Parliament.

“Sian is passionate, principled and a good listener, with a proven track record of ground-breaking campaigning and public service.

“She’d be a hugely effective MP and a powerful Green voice holding whoever is in government to account.”

Sian Berry and Caroline Lucas (Image: Sian Berry)

Ms Berry served as co-leader of the Green Party from 2018 to 2021 and has previously run for Mayor of London in 2008, 2016 and in 2021.

She is currently a councillor in Camden and the leader of the Green Party in the London Assembly.

Ms Berry last ran for election to Parliament in 2005 for Hampstead and Highgate, placing fourth, and represented the party at two TV debates at the last general election in 2019.

However, she has already faced some criticism from Labour councillors in Brighton and Hove and has been accused of parachuting into the constituency.

Ms Berry is among three activists running to be the next Green candidate in Brighton Pavilion.

Emily O’Brien, councillor in Lewes, and Daniel Rue, who contested the Patcham ward in the local election in May, are also in the running to replace Ms Lucas.

The party’s candidate will be decided by Green Party members in the city, with the winner set to be announced on Wednesday evening.