The deadline for candidates was today and we have four choices to make. In order of when they declared their candidacy they are:
Tina Rothery and Martin Hemingway
Amelia Womack and Tamsin Omond
Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay
Shahrar Ali
Given the reason for Sian Berry standing down, trans issues obviously are a big part of this election, but obviously other factors too.
Rothery and Hemingway basically represent a more traditional environmentalist focused approach, without much of a focus on social issues. I don't see that they stand much of a chance.
Womack and Omond are more interesting. Womack has obviously been deputy leader for several years, but has proved much better at winning internal elections than getting elected to office. But she's an experienced and decent communicator. Omond, I hadn't heard of before the campaign but they have a background in direct action with Plane Stupid as well as being a councillor. This candidacy represent a clear attempt to combat the transphobic minority of the party, not just because Omond is non-binary but because they are making inclusivity a key part of their campaign.
Denyer and Ramsay are the closest to continuity candidates and they are the ones who have had the most high profile endorsements so far, though the high profile figures haven't said anything yet. They have the most professional campaign and are likely to be the most professional at managing the party. Denyer has been vocally pro-trans previously but it's not been a part of their campaign as yet. Ramsay has a reputation as a very good organiser, but I don't know much about what he thinks.
Ali is running on an explicit transphobic campaign and if he wins I'll be leaving the party. Very little support apparent from actual party members, but lots of GC people saying they are going to join/rejoin the party to vote for him. I can't see that he can get more than 25% of the vote, but it's possible that the lack of an overwhelming favourite among the other candidates might let him slip through, particularly if lots of Terfs do sign up to vote for him.
Tina Rothery and Martin Hemingway
Amelia Womack and Tamsin Omond
Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay
Shahrar Ali
Given the reason for Sian Berry standing down, trans issues obviously are a big part of this election, but obviously other factors too.
Rothery and Hemingway basically represent a more traditional environmentalist focused approach, without much of a focus on social issues. I don't see that they stand much of a chance.
Womack and Omond are more interesting. Womack has obviously been deputy leader for several years, but has proved much better at winning internal elections than getting elected to office. But she's an experienced and decent communicator. Omond, I hadn't heard of before the campaign but they have a background in direct action with Plane Stupid as well as being a councillor. This candidacy represent a clear attempt to combat the transphobic minority of the party, not just because Omond is non-binary but because they are making inclusivity a key part of their campaign.
Denyer and Ramsay are the closest to continuity candidates and they are the ones who have had the most high profile endorsements so far, though the high profile figures haven't said anything yet. They have the most professional campaign and are likely to be the most professional at managing the party. Denyer has been vocally pro-trans previously but it's not been a part of their campaign as yet. Ramsay has a reputation as a very good organiser, but I don't know much about what he thinks.
Ali is running on an explicit transphobic campaign and if he wins I'll be leaving the party. Very little support apparent from actual party members, but lots of GC people saying they are going to join/rejoin the party to vote for him. I can't see that he can get more than 25% of the vote, but it's possible that the lack of an overwhelming favourite among the other candidates might let him slip through, particularly if lots of Terfs do sign up to vote for him.
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