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
Natalie Barnes is for sale, Natalie buys the pub from Alec Gilroy (Roy Barraclough) on 30 December 1998. After shifting Jack (Bill Tarmey) and Vera Duckworth (Liz Dawn) from their lodgings upstairs, Natalie moves into the pub and redecorates. As The Rovers new landlady, Natalie has a brief relationship with Ian Bentley (Jonathan Guy Lewis), aware that he is engaged but unaware that he is engaged to Rita Sullivan's (Barbara Knox) former foster daughter Sharon Gaskell (Tracie Bennett). The Rovers' barmaid Betty Williams (Betty Driver) sees Natalie and Ian together, and tells Rita - who confronts Natalie. Natalie finishes with Ian and