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Natalie Bennett to step down as Green Party leader Natalie Bennett to step down as Green Party leader
(35 minutes later)
Natalie Bennett has announced she will stand down as leader of the Green Party in England and Wales this August, after four years at the helm of the party.Natalie Bennett has announced she will stand down as leader of the Green Party in England and Wales this August, after four years at the helm of the party.
Ms Bennett said she would not stand for re-election when her second two-year term in office expires this summer.Ms Bennett said she would not stand for re-election when her second two-year term in office expires this summer.
The Australian former journalist said she intended to remain "fully engaged" in the Green Party after stepping down.The Australian former journalist said she intended to remain "fully engaged" in the Green Party after stepping down.
Green peer Baroness Jones and London mayoral candidate Sian Berry have said they do not want the job.Green peer Baroness Jones and London mayoral candidate Sian Berry have said they do not want the job.
Baroness Jones tweeted that she had "no leader ambitions", while Ms Berry wrote on Facebook that she "definitely will not be standing in the election for a new leader".Baroness Jones tweeted that she had "no leader ambitions", while Ms Berry wrote on Facebook that she "definitely will not be standing in the election for a new leader".
Ms Bennett said she had been "proud to lead a party through a period of phenomenal expansion and increased impact".Ms Bennett said she had been "proud to lead a party through a period of phenomenal expansion and increased impact".
An ex-journalist who worked for the Telegraph, the Independent, the Times and the Guardian, she became party leader in September 2012.An ex-journalist who worked for the Telegraph, the Independent, the Times and the Guardian, she became party leader in September 2012.
She succeeded Caroline Lucas, the Green Party's MP for Brighton Pavilion.She succeeded Caroline Lucas, the Green Party's MP for Brighton Pavilion.
Earlier this month, she defended her leadership after the Greens lost four councillors in local elections in England, and won a 2.5% share of vote in the Welsh Assembly elections, behind UKIP.Earlier this month, she defended her leadership after the Greens lost four councillors in local elections in England, and won a 2.5% share of vote in the Welsh Assembly elections, behind UKIP.
'Increased public understanding''Increased public understanding'
In a statement, Ms Bennett said: "With the support of our passionate members and supporters we have been able to achieve much in a relatively short period.In a statement, Ms Bennett said: "With the support of our passionate members and supporters we have been able to achieve much in a relatively short period.
"There's greatly increased public understanding that when you want the honest, caring, committed view - one that isn't guided by the views of the latest focus group or fear of a tabloid backlash but by fundamental principles and values.""There's greatly increased public understanding that when you want the honest, caring, committed view - one that isn't guided by the views of the latest focus group or fear of a tabloid backlash but by fundamental principles and values."
Ms Bennett took part in televised leaders' debates ahead of last year's general election.Ms Bennett took part in televised leaders' debates ahead of last year's general election.
Last year, she had to apologise to members following a radio interview in which she blamed "brain fade" for her inability to explain a series of party policies.Last year, she had to apologise to members following a radio interview in which she blamed "brain fade" for her inability to explain a series of party policies.
"I am not a lifelong, spin-trained politician and people have sometimes said they thought I looked nervous - and I wasn't." she told the BBC's Daily Politics."I am not a lifelong, spin-trained politician and people have sometimes said they thought I looked nervous - and I wasn't." she told the BBC's Daily Politics.
"But maybe I haven't got some of the smooth mannerisms... that come from decades of doing this and training from a very young age, from the kind of background that produces that look.""But maybe I haven't got some of the smooth mannerisms... that come from decades of doing this and training from a very young age, from the kind of background that produces that look."
Asked if successful party leaders needed that manner, she said: "I think what we need to see is politics changing, and that addresses much broader issues about the nature of our media, the nature of the way in which politics is covered.Asked if successful party leaders needed that manner, she said: "I think what we need to see is politics changing, and that addresses much broader issues about the nature of our media, the nature of the way in which politics is covered.
"This isn't a football game, it's not about point scoring. What we need to see is exploration of issues and ideas and policies.""This isn't a football game, it's not about point scoring. What we need to see is exploration of issues and ideas and policies."
Ms Bennett said she did not know who would run for Green Party leader.Ms Bennett said she did not know who would run for Green Party leader.
Richard Mallender, chairman of the Green Party Executive, thanked Ms Bennett for "her outstanding leadership over the past four years."Richard Mallender, chairman of the Green Party Executive, thanked Ms Bennett for "her outstanding leadership over the past four years."
Baroness Jones said it was a "really tough job" and she was "disappointed" Ms Bennett was stepping down.
"What we need now is some new people to come forward," she said. "There is incredible talent in the party who are not well known because they are not elected."
Nominations for Ms Bennett's successor will open on June 1 and close on June 30.Nominations for Ms Bennett's successor will open on June 1 and close on June 30.
A one-month balloting period will begin on 24 July with the result to be announced at the party's autumn conference, in September. A campaign period will run from 1 July until 24 July, at which point a one-month balloting period will begin with the result to be announced at the party's autumn conference in Brighton in early September.