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The role exists to represent the members and to further the achievement of the Green Party’s objectives generally and specifically through providing support to local parties including communicating national strategy and policy for use by Local Parties.
The Candidates
Nicole Haydock
My primary objective in standing for this role is to provide the support local parties need to grow and develop, and encourage them to take a closer interest in the governance of our Party whilst remaining key partners in our electoral strategy. I welcome Ellie Chowns’ statement that turning protest into political change is, indeed, about empowering local teams.
The strength of our Party rests with our unique and autonomous Local Parties. It is the hard work of all our volunteers, guided by our team of Organisers, that has led to the latest increase in the number of Green councillors and the election of four Green MPs. This is particularly true of the amazing wins in Suffolk and Herefordshire.
However, there is a flip side to the autonomous status of our Local Parties which is a cause of concern: how decisions are sometimes made and the general wellbeing of our Party. Having thought long and hard about our enduring democratic deficit, I believe both are linked. As Local Party Support Co-ordinator, I will therefore seek to strengthen Local Parties’ governance and assist our Organisers in creating a greater awareness of the importance to participate in regional and national decision-making processes. I would also ensure that the proportion of members’ fees is duly handed back to Local Parties and not wasted in ill-advised court cases.
If elected, I would endeavour to help isolated members link up with local activists or join an “unbranched “ group. I would also seek to allocate proper resources to meet new members’ training needs. This must include GPEX delivering user-friendly software and a fully funded technical/digital service to members, including digital campaign tools.
Policy development also needs to be brought closer to Local and Regional Parties. If elected, I would push for easier access to our 37 Working Parties. This will include a new section in the Green Party website with a ring-fenced budget.
My Local Party experience includes joint co-ordinator for Bury for 12 years, building the membership from 8 to 150. In anticipation of the 2017 Mayoral election for Greater Manchester, I took the initiative to get all 10 Local Parties to work together and launched a Forum which is now Greater Manchester Green Parties Federation. I played a key role in that election campaign and that of 2021.
As a member of the North West regional committee, I was elected to serve on the Green Party Regional Committee between 2013 and 2017 and acted as Local Party Support officer.
With a Conference mandate to reform conference voting, I convened a working party which delivered an explanatory video and a ballot of members who opted for on-line voting.
A life-long feminist, I have served on the Green Party Women’s committee in a non-portfolio role.
I believe that with my past professional experience in Further/Higher Education followed by a second career in Social Housing in Greater Manchester and much community work besides, I can make an effective contribution to GPEX.
Rosie Rawle
I have been Local Party Support Coordinator for two terms, have served on GPEx for six years and am a City Councillor in Oxford.
I am standing for re-election to continue that work and ensure the party takes advantage of the crucial moment we are in – when the climate crisis is becoming more urgent day by day, when the government panders to the far-right, and when only the Greens are offering the transformative change our country and planet desperately needs.
In my time on GPEx, the Green Party has achieved unprecedented success. We now have four MPs, over 850 Councillors and over 60,000 members. I’m proud to have played a role in this, particularly through shaping the party’s political, election and financial strategies. I’m most proud of leading on a strategy that led to major increases in our income, transforming our capacity and capability ahead of the 2024 general election and that enabled the payment of local party capitations.
Professionally, I have over a decade of experience working in campaigns and communications at a range of organisations, including Oxfam, ShareAction and the People’s Assembly Against Austerity. Currently I work for one the country’s leading national campaigning organisations for climate and social justice. As such, I have a wide range of experience in supporting grassroots groups and fully believe in the power of local organising to transform society.
The next two years will be crucial for the future growth and success of our party. We have a unique opportunity to start work on a new political strategy that could take us from four MPs to dozens, break through in the 2026 Senedd elections, and become an even more formidable force on local councils.
But to make it happen, we need to make the right decisions now. As such, these would be my key priorities if re-elected:
- Transforming activist support and training – Campaign School and Candidate School have been immensely valuable for building election organisers that go out to win time and time again. But what if we could also roll out national training programmes on the wider set of skills needed to build an effective and winning movement? What if we had a national training programme for local party press officers or expert on-hand support for delivering cutting edge social media campaigns and powerful fundraising?
- Securing local party funds and resources – We need to ensure local parties have sustainable finances, that they can plan ahead and rely on planned income. Local Party Capitations are a lifeline for many local parties. I have fought to defend these payments and will continue to do so.
- Building our movement – I have long believed that as a party born out of radical social movements, our success is built not only on the tireless work of the volunteers who knock on doors and deliver leaflets, but also on the social base we can build within society. That’s why I’ll push to ensure movement building is a key plank of our next political strategy.
Hannah Spencer
‘We’re Stronger When We’re All Connected’
As a Green Party councillor and Group Leader in Trafford, my commitment to our values and local party development drives everything I do. Last year, I stood for Mayor of Greater Manchester and I also had the honour of giving the opening speech at conference here in Manchester; it’s crucial for local voices to be heard nationally. I work as a plumber and live with four rescue greyhounds. Like lots of people, I’m new to politics and I want to keep breaking down the systemic barriers that stop so many people being part of our democracy.
For the last General Election, I actively campaigned in all four target seats. I’ve also supported and been part of lots of local election campaigns, from Lancaster to Chorley, Skelmersdale to Cardiff, and I’ve spent countless days on the doorsteps, learning from local teams and bringing best practice back to Trafford. I firmly believe that when local parties connect with each other and with national strategy, we become a truly powerful force for change. My experience on the ground means I know how to help groups adapt national policies for local success and I’m committed to keeping the link strong between members, local parties, and the whole party’s strategic aims.
We’re seeing unprecedented numbers of members joining, and local parties must be equipped to welcome and sustain their enthusiasm. I’m passionate about sharing training, guidance and mentoring, and supporting parties as they develop skills and confidence. Having stepped into new and challenging roles myself, I recognise the power of practical training and peer support, and I want to make this accessible everywhere.
I also understand that not every local party runs at the same pace. Some need targeted support to grow, others may be struggling to function or facing difficult decisions about their future. I promise to listen carefully, work supportively, and signpost effective resources to those who need them.
Stepping up to this GPEx role, I’m eager to take on new areas of responsibility; I’m ready to help oversee the roll out of new tech, to work closely with colleagues and the Chief Executive to make sure every party has what it needs. Safeguarding is absolutely fundamental, it’s an area we need to do better. I’ll highlight that parties need support to provide a safe, inclusive environment. Everybody (and especially our marginalised siblings) needs to feel safe in our party.
I’ve led our Green group in Trafford and worked with councillors from many backgrounds, building committees that are cooperative and effective. I look forward to collaborating with GPEx colleagues, Field Organisers, and staff for joined-up support of local parties across England and Wales.
The Green Party must continue to reach those underrepresented in politics and ensure our party is accessible to all. I know first-hand the difference it makes to see someone break the mould and I’m committed to making sure every local party has the tools, support and encouragement to help build a fairer society, together.