35. Caroline Lucas
The Green Pioneer
Caroline Lucas has been a trailblazer for environmental politics in Britain. Born in Malvern in 1960, she studied English at Exeter University before earning a PhD in literature and feminism. Yet her life’s work would not be in the library but in the political arena, where she has championed the planet with unrivalled dedication.
Lucas joined the Green Party in the 1980s and quickly rose through its ranks, becoming its most recognisable figure. In 1999, she was elected as a Member of the European Parliament, where she campaigned tirelessly for environmental protections and social justice.
Her most historic achievement came in 2010, when she became the first Green Party MP, representing Brighton Pavilion. Her victory was more than symbolic: it gave the Greens a voice at Westminster and proved that environmental politics had a place in the mainstream.
In Parliament, Lucas has been an unwavering advocate for action on climate change, renewable energy, and human rights. She is widely admired for her integrity and independence, often praised as one of the hardest-working MPs. Her speeches, rich in clarity and conviction, have influenced debates well beyond her party’s size.
Though she announced she would step down at the next general election, her legacy is secure. Caroline Lucas has shown what principled, passionate politics can achieve. She leaves behind not just a record of service but a movement inspired by her example.
