Carla Denyer is set to clash with other party representatives in tonight’s BBC debate and present herself as the climate candidate with renewable energy at the heart of her message to voters.
Denyer will likely follow the Green Party’s General Election tactic of wanting to attract left-wing Labour voters by pushing its policies to increase taxes on the “super wealthy” and pump billions of pounds into health and social care. She will also outline the party’s climate change message, urging voters to cast their ballot for them if global warming is one of their main concerns.
The Green Party co-leader will take part in tonight’s debate moderated by Mishal Husain and will last 90 minutes. Viewers can tune in to tonight’s debate from 7.30pm and will last until 9pm.
Here’s what you need to know about the Green Party co-leader from her career in politics and background.
Life before politics
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Before starting her career in politics, Denyer was involved in protests against the war in Iraq and campaigned to promote fair trade. She graduated from Durham University with a mechanical engineering and soon applied it in her career path.
Denyer worked as engineer in the renewable energy industry with her role involving work with both offshore and onshore wind energy. She has described herself as a non-theist Quaker and follows a vegan diet.
In 2021, BristolLive listed Denyer as one of the most influential LGBTQ+ people in Bristol who was said to be “a proud trans ally” and having campaigned for reform of the Gender Recognition Act.
Career in politics
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PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
Denyer joined the Green Party in 2011 and was elected as a Bristol city councillor in 2015 after she advocated for renters’ rights and better access to public transport. In 2018, she pushed the city to adopt what was then Europe’s first Climate Emergency declaration, that aims to make Bristol carbon neutral by 2030. Similar declarations were adopted by the UK Parliament and numerous other councils.
Both Denyer and Adrian Ramsey were elected to co-leader roles in October 2021. She previously stood as a candidate for Bristol West, which she lost to Labour’s Thangam Debbonaire.
Following Rishi Sunak’s soggy General Election announcement, Denyer announced her intention to stand in the newly-created Bristol Central seat. According to her campaign website, Denyer stands for ending the housing crisis in Bristol, delivering “fairer and greener” transport in the city and has vowed to tackle climate change.