Green Party leader Natalie Bennett loses election bid, comes third
Green party leader Natalie Bennett has lost out in her bid to be elected into parliament.
Bennett failed to beat Labour’s Keir Starmer in the London constituency of Holborn and St Pancras.
Natalie Bennett came third with just 7,013 votes – failing to penetrate the lead of Labour candidate Keir Starmer who received 29,062. She was also below out gay Conservative Will Blair, who recieved 12,014 votes.
Holborn and St Pancreas has been a Labour stronghold for over twenty years, with former Labour MP Frank Dobson not seeking re-election after holding the seat since 1983.
Ms Bennett had outlined a number of equality measures in the Green Party’s manifesto – including pension equality for gay couples, mandatory sex and relationship education, and stronger legislation against hate crime.
During a question and answer session with PinkNews readers earlier this month, Ms Bennett also stated she was ‘open’ to the idea of polyamorous relationships.
When asked whether she supported the principle of ‘three way’ marriages or civil partnerships, she said: “At present, we do not have a policy on civil partnerships involving more than two people.
“We are, uniquely in this country, a party whose policies are developed and voted for by our members.
“We have led the way on many issues related to the liberalisation of legal status in adult consenting relationships, and we are open to further conversation and consultation.”
As well as saying her party would be open to considering legal recognition for polyamorous relationships, Ms Bennett backed the introduction of Sex and Relationship Education in all schools, said the Green party would quash the deferral period for gay and bisexual men giving blood, and called ‘gay cure’ therapy “unacceptable and damaging”.
Bennett also appeared on the panel at the PinkNews Debate in March, where she spoke out against the UK’s current relationship with Saudi Arabia.
Ms Bennett is epected to stay on as leader of the Green Party despite her loss – unlike her UKIP counterpart Nigel Farage, who has assured voters he will quit as leader of UKIP if he doesn’t win in his South Thanet constituency.
PinkNews election coverage is generously supported by KPMG.
