Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales group. In September 2008 Caroline Lucas was elected as the party's first leader. Lucas was reelected in 2010 but chose not to stand in 2012, when Natalie Bennett was elected her successor. After Bennett stood down in 2016 Lucas returned as leader, this time sharing the position with Jonathan Bartley. Prior to 1992 six principal speakers were elected annually. The Female Principal Speaker post was won by Siân Berry, without a contest. The Female Principal Speaker post was won by Caroline Lucas, without a contest. Not all regions of the Green Party used the Principal Speaker system. In particular, the
Tony Bennett at the Talk of the Town Farnon's voice announces "Ladies and gentlemen, from London – meet Mr. Tony Bennett!" and Bennett steps onto the stage. The shows themselves were almost entirely musical; at the time Bennett described them as "mini-concerts". Providing support for the singers was a 38-person orchestra composed of some of England's leading musicians. These included Kenny Baker on trumpet, Bobby Lamb and Don Lusher on trombone, Danny Moss on tenor saxophone, and numerous others. There were strings as well, and the orchestra leader was Lionel Bentley. Also included in the orchestra were the members of Bennett's supporting combo at the time, John Bunch