The Green Party NI has announced the election of a new leader. 

A party spokesperson said "We are delighted to announce that Councillor Mal O'Hara has been selected as the new leader of the party.  We want to thank Clare Bailey for her leadership of the party over the last few years. Clare led us to record council elections, led our Assembly team in making two pieces of law and forced the NI Executive to finally pass climate legislation for Northern Ireland."

"After the disappointing Assembly election results, it is time for the new generation of activists to step forward and bring new energy to the party." 

Cllr Mal O'Hara said "I am honoured to have been chosen as the new leader by the party.  We Greens have always been the vanguard of change. Greens were right on marriage and abortion. We have always been right on the environment. It is welcome that others have followed us and are increasingly adopting those positions. 

Today, Northern Ireland faces many challenges; Cost of living, housing, mental health, reconciliation and of course the climate and biodiversity crises. I look forward to offering green solutions to these challenges and am determined that the party will bounce back stronger than ever. It is time for the next generation of activists to step up and offer a vision of a fairer world and a fairer Northern Ireland."

ENDS 

Notes:

• The Green Party NI rules require a leadership after each Assembly election. Clare Bailey choose not to stand. Cllr Mal O'Hara was contested unopposed. 
• Cllr Mal O'Hara has been deputy leader of the party since February 2019 and was elected as a City Councillor in May 2019. 

Media contact: Mal O'Hara 07540790663 / [email protected])