Caroline's victory in the 2010 general election in Brighton Pavilion follows significant experience of political and elected office including serving as a member of the European Parliament and leader of the Green Party of England & Wales.
Caroline was elected as one of the Green Party’s first MEPs in June 1999 to represent the South East of England region.
She was re-elected with an increased vote share in 2004. Caroline joined the Green Party in 1986 and has held many positions including National Press Officer (1987-89) and Co-Chair (1989-90).
She won the party’s second County Council seat in 1993 and served on Oxfordshire County Council until 1997.
She was elected Principal Speaker each year from 2003 to 2005 and again in 2007.
In 2008 she was elected Party Leader.
At a time when Green issues have risen up the political agenda dramatically, Caroline’s work has not gone unnoticed.
She has received a number of accolades for her work.
Caroline received the Michael Kay Award from the RSPCA in 2006 for her outstanding contribution to European animal welfare and BBC Wildlife listed Caroline in their ‘Top 50 Conservationists’.
In 2007, 2009 and 2010 Caroline was voted Ethical Politician of the Year by Observer readers in their annual Ethical Awards and in 2008 was judged one of the Guardian’s top “eco-heroes.”
Caroline and her family have been based in Brussels over the past eleven years so she could combine her role as a Euro-MP with looking after two young children.
She is now based in Brighton and her family will be joining her here next year, when her eldest son finishes his 6th form exams.
