Caroline Lucas announced in an open letter this morning (8 June) that she will not stand as MP at the next general election in order to spend time working on issues related to the climate crisis.
She wrote to ‘Brighton Pavilion residents and friends’: “...the intensity of these constituency commitments, together with the particular responsibilities of being my Party’s sole MP, mean that, ironically, I’ve not been able to focus as much as I would like on the existential challenges that drive me – the Nature and Climate emergencies.”
Lucas has held the seat in Brighton Pavilion since being elected in 2010 and has increased her majority at every subsequent election.
In 2019, she grew her majority to have the largest of any post-war MP in Brighton and Hove. Three-times winner of the Parliamentarian of the Year Award, she has consistently found ways to get things done through cross-party collaboration.
As an MP, Caroline has served as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Climate Change and Limits to Growth. She has been a Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency and Democratic Participation, and Deputy Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Renewable and Sustainable Energy.
Co-leader Carla Denyer commented: “Caroline’s impact on politics in this country cannot be overstated: she truly is a force of nature and has been an extraordinary servant of the people of Brighton Pavilion as well as the Green Party. We are so proud of her achievements.
“Whether securing significant policy changes, shaping the conversation, or modelling a different way of doing politics – Caroline demonstrates how essential it is to have Green voices in UK politics. I’ve learnt so much from her, she is an inspiration to me and to many people inside and outside the Green Party who want to see positive change in politics.”
Co-leader Adrian Ramsay added: “Caroline’s contribution to our national life has been something to behold for the more than two decades we’ve known one another. Very few politicians can claim to have changed the course of the national debate in the way Caroline has. She has brought so much to us as a party, shown real integrity in her work and added a crucial dimension to our democracy in this country.
“Having MPs who are genuinely dedicated to standing up for the climate and nature could not be more important than it is right now and that’s why we are striving to get more Green MPs elected at the next General Election so that we can build on Caroline’s achievements.”
Green Councillors in Brighton have joined Denyer and Ramsay in thanking Lucas. Cllr Pete West, the first Green elected in Brighton and Hove in 1996, said: “Caroline Lucas has been a towering figure, both in Brighton and Hove and in Westminster. She has an incredible reputation with people of all or no parties. People across the city will forever be grateful for everything she has done over her years of service.”
Cllr Steve Davis, Convenor of the Green Group on Brighton and Hove Council, added: “Throughout difficult times and years of public service, Caroline Lucas has been an unflinching beacon of hope to many people in this city and across the country.
“Caroline has inspired so many people to get involved in politics, by embodying the best of politicians; speaking truth to power and championing principle and integrity every day.”
Campaigners have also used the opportunity to call for electoral reform and ‘more Carolines, not fewer’.
Neal Lawson, Director of the cross-party campaign group Compass, praised the MP for her achievements in office and criticised the UK voting system for shutting out smaller parties.
He said: “Caroline exemplifies the best characteristics of political leadership – bold and determined but kind, thoughtful and caring. She has often been a lone but bright light in Parliament.
“She is the progressive leader everyone wanted but only the Greens were lucky enough to have. Better politics looks like Caroline Lucas.
“As brilliant as she has been, and will continue to be, one person can’t change a broken system alone. In all the challenges and opportunities rapidly appearing before us, we need more Carolines, not fewer. That is why we need proportional representation."