Sian Berry, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, has announced she will step down this autumn, citing 'inconsistency' among party figures over transgender rights. Ms Berry, who supports the party's policy of 'self-determination of gender', said others had sent 'mixed messages' on the issue.
In a letter to members, Ms Berry stated there was an 'inconsistency between the sincere promise to fight for trans rights and inclusion in my work and the message sent by the party's choice of frontbench representatives'. She added that the party must speak 'unequivocally, with one voice' on transgender rights, and her conscience could not agree that sending mixed messages was positive.
Ms Berry did not specify which individuals she was referring to, but noted she had not won 'the confidence of a majority of my colleagues', which she described as a 'failure of leadership'. She will remain a London Assembly member and focus more on that role.
A Green Party spokesperson said the party 'absolutely' supported transgender rights and thanked Ms Berry for her role in recent electoral gains, including 88 councillors in May's local elections and second place in the Bristol mayoral race. The spokesperson added that the party was 'the most progressive party on issues ranging from trans rights to immigration'.
Ms Berry joins Jonathan Bartley, who also chose not to run again for co-leader. The party said details of the election to replace them would be announced as soon as possible.
