Jean Lambert (London, MEP): The Green Party is about to ballot its members on whether we should change one of the most unique aspects of our organisation - the absence of an official leader. At the moment we are represented by two 'principle speakers', elected on a yearly basis (see this Guardian debate). Should we now be moving towards a single identifiable leader, elected for a longer term? I am supporting change.
Leadership is not a finite resource but it does have to be carefully managed and used appropriately. Nor is there only one leadership model: different tasks may require different structures. Greens have experimented with leadership structures over the years and have varying models, often linked to the political space available, either to challenge existing structures or to work effectively within them. We also have to recognise that having decision-making power is not necessarily the same thing as leadership.
So-called "flat" models, seemingly hierarchy-free, will often have their internal power battles: if two people have equivalent power, who takes the responsibility for making decisions? What happens to the unfortunate individual caught in the middle, particularly if they lack the power to walk away?
In modern-day democratic politics no leader has absolute power. A party leader only has the power their party accords them, whether they are Margaret Thatcher or Iain Duncan-Smith. They can only wield their "power" while they enjoy the confidence of their colleagues, party and public. It would be a very foolish leader who made a regular habit of trying to coerce the unwilling. However, people feel they have a clearer understanding as to where responsibility lies. It doesn't stop other (elected) members being respected, having ideas or campaigning - leading in other ways.
Climate change now presents a challenge of leadership to all politicians and especially the Greens. We now need a clear focus to ensure a real coherence in policy. That also means a more focussed leadership on the political stage together with a broad-based leadership at community level - different arenas, different models.
