The great Green leadership debate

By Chris Mason
BBC Radio 4′s Westminster Hour

Environmental issues have moved to the top of the political agenda
What’s the best way for a political party – or indeed any organisation – to be led?

The Liberal Democrats appear to be faring better in the polls now, without a proper leader, than they did a few months ago with one.

And both Labour and the Conservatives – with great fanfare – have gone through the process of selecting new leaders in recent years.

Amidst all this, the Green Party in England and Wales bucks the trend. Or at least it has until now.

Falling in line

At the moment the Greens have two so-called principal speakers. As recently as 1991 they had six. Under the current arrangements, one has to be a man, the other a woman.

But the party’s 7,000 or so members are being asked whether they should fall into line with the other parties and elect one person to be in charge.