View source for Caroline Lucas

{{Short description|British politician (born 1960)}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Caroline Lucas
| honorific-suffix    =
| image               = Official portrait of Caroline Lucas MP crop 2.jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2019
| office              = [[Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales]]{{efn|As [[Principal Speaker|Principal Female Speaker of the Green Party of England and Wales]] until 5 September 2008.}}
| alongside           = [[Jonathan Bartley]]
| deputy              = [[Amelia Womack]]
| term_start          = 2 September 2016
| term_end            = 4 September 2018
| predecessor         = [[Natalie Bennett]]
| successor           = [[Jonathan Bartley]] and <br />  [[Siân Berry]]
| deputy1             = [[Adrian Ramsay]] (2008–2012)
| alongside1          = [[Derek Wall]] (until 5 September 2008)
| term_start1         = 30 November 2007
| term_end1           = 5 September 2012
| predecessor1        = Siân Berry
| successor1          = Natalie Bennett
| alongside2          = [[Mike Woodin]]; [[Keith Taylor (British politician)|Keith Taylor]]
| term_start2         = 30 November 2003
| term_end2           = 24 November 2006
| predecessor2        = [[Margaret Wright (British politician)|Margaret Wright]]
| successor2          = Siân Berry
| office4             = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Brighton Pavilion (UK Parliament constituency)|Brighton Pavilion]]
| term_start4         = 6 May 2010
| term_end4           = 30 May 2024
| predecessor4        = [[David Lepper]]
| successor4          = [[Siân Berry]]
| majority4           =
| office5             = [[Member of the European Parliament]]<br />for [[South East England (European Parliament constituency)|South East England]]
| term_start5         = 14 June 1999
| term_end5           = 6 May 2010
| predecessor5        = ''Constituency established''
| successor5          = [[Keith Taylor (British politician)|Keith Taylor]]
| birth_name          = Caroline Patricia Lucas
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1960|12|9|df=yes}}
| birth_place         = [[Malvern, Worcestershire|Malvern]], [[Worcestershire]], England
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Green Party of England and Wales]] (1990–present)
| otherparty          = [[Green Party (UK)|Green Party UK]] (1986–1990)
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Richard Savage (cricketer)|Richard Savage]]|1991}}
| children            = 2
| education           = [[Malvern Girls' College]]
| alma_mater          = {{Plainlist|
* [[University of Exeter]]<ref name=whoswho/><ref name=cphd/>
* [[University of Kansas]] ([[Diploma of Journalism|Dipl.]])
}}
| module              = {{Infobox academic
 | child              = yes
 | thesis_title       = Writing for Women: woman as reader in Elizabethan romance
 | thesis_url         = http://lib.exeter.ac.uk/record=b1462149~S6
 | thesis_year        = 1989
}}
| website             = {{URL|https://www.carolinelucas.com/}}
| signature           = Caroline Lucas signature.svg
}}
{{Green politics|sidebar|sp=uk}}
{{Republicanism sidebar}}
'''Caroline Patricia Lucas''' (born 9 December 1960)<ref name=whoswho/> is a British politician who was the leader of the [[Green Party of England and Wales]] from 2003 to 2006, 2007 to 2012, and 2016 to 2018. She was [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Brighton Pavilion (UK Parliament constituency)|Brighton Pavilion]] from 2010 to 2024. She was the Green Party's first MP (although [[Plaid Cymru]]'s [[Cynog Dafis]] was elected on a [[joint ticket]] in the 1990s) and their only MP until the 2024 general election.

Born in [[Malvern, Worcestershire|Malvern]] in [[Worcestershire]], Lucas graduated from the [[University of Exeter]] and the [[University of Kansas]] before receiving a [[PhD]] from the University of Exeter in 1989.<ref name=cphd>{{cite thesis|degree=PhD|publisher=University of Exeter|url=https://copac.jisc.ac.uk/id/31458672?style=html|title=Writing for women: a study of woman as a reader in Elizabethan romance |first=Caroline|last=Lucas|date=1989|id={{EThOS|uk.bl.ethos.328713}} |website=jisc.ac.uk |oclc=1088533841 |access-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328104202/https://copac.jisc.ac.uk/id/31458672?style=html|archive-date=28 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> She joined the Green Party in 1986 and held various party roles, also serving on [[Oxfordshire County Council]] from 1993 to 1997. She was elected as a [[Member of the European Parliament]] (MEP) for [[South East England (European Parliament constituency)|South East England]] in [[1999 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|1999]] and re-elected in [[2004 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2004]] and [[2009 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2009]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Harris |first=John |title=Could Brighton Pavilion elect Britain's first Green MP? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/feb/08/brighton-green-mp-caroline-lucas |url-status=live |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=8 February 2010 |access-date=28 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218053639/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/feb/08/brighton-green-mp-caroline-lucas |archive-date=18 December 2013 }}</ref><ref name=ArgosArticle2>[http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1552127.0.greens_pick_mep_lucas_to_run_for_mp.php Greens Pick MEP Lucas to Run for MP] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234055/http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1552127.0.greens_pick_mep_lucas_to_run_for_mp.php |date=26 September 2007}}, ''[[Brighton Argus]]'', 18 July 2007</ref> also serving as the party's female [[Principal Speaker]] from 2003 to 2006 and from 2007 to 2008.

Lucas was elected the first leader of the Green Party in [[2008 Green Party of England and Wales leadership election|2008]] and was selected to represent the constituency of [[Brighton Pavilion (UK Parliament constituency)|Brighton Pavilion]] in the 2010 general election, becoming the party's first MP. She stood down as party leader in 2012 to devote more time to her parliamentary duties and focus on the election campaign. She returned as party leader from September 2016 to September 2018, sharing the post with [[Jonathan Bartley]]. She stated in June 2023 that she would not stand at the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web |last1=Lucas |first1=Caroline |title=My open letter to constituents in Brighton Pavilion |url=https://www.carolinelucas.com/caroline/parliament/letter/my-open-letter-to-constituents-in-brighton-pavilion |website=carolinelucas.com |publisher=Caroline Lucas |access-date=8 June 2023}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Lucas was born in [[Malvern, Worcestershire|Malvern]] in [[Worcestershire]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2021/11/caroline-lucas-qa-even-if-youre-in-a-minority-of-one-the-truth-is-still-the-truth|title=Caroline Lucas Q&A: "Even if you're in a minority of one, the truth is still the truth"|first=New|last=Statesman|date=17 November 2021}}</ref> to middle-class, [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]-voting parents,<ref name="telegraph1">{{cite news |title=Caroline Lucas: the Green in beige who could be Nick Clegg's nemesis |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/green-party/7981297/Caroline-Lucas-the-Green-in-beige-who-could-be-Nick-Cleggs-nemesis.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=3 September 2010 |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126140644/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/green-party/7981297/Caroline-Lucas-the-Green-in-beige-who-could-be-Nick-Cleggs-nemesis.html |archive-date=26 January 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Peter and Valerie (''née'' Griffin) Lucas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=PeKZfipnjnHTrIxdpmoD%2BA&scan=1|title=Index entry |access-date=25 July 2020 |work=FreeBMD |publisher=ONS}}</ref><ref name=whoswho>{{Who's Who |author=Anon |title=Lucas, Dr. Caroline |id=U25060 |year=2014 |doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U25060 |edition=online [[Oxford University Press]] |location=Oxford}}</ref> She is one of three children; her father ran a small [[central heating]] company, and sold [[solar panel]]ling.<ref name="Spanner">{{cite web |last=Spanner |first=Huw |url=http://www.thirdwaymagazine.co.uk/editions/archive/high-profile/green-shift.aspx |title=Green Shift |publisher=Thirdwaymagazine.co.uk |date=4 February 2005 |access-date=7 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124122741/http://www.thirdwaymagazine.co.uk/editions/archive/high-profile/green-shift.aspx |archive-date=24 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Hattenstone2015">{{cite news|last=Hattenstone|first=Simon|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/feb/28/caroline-lucas-im-not-playing-about|title=Caroline Lucas: 'I'm not in politics to play about'|work=The Guardian|date=28 February 2015|access-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102115646/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/feb/28/caroline-lucas-im-not-playing-about|archive-date=2 January 2016}}</ref> Her mother stayed at home to bring up their children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://highprofiles.info/interview/caroline-lucas/|title=Green Shift|access-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411074408/https://highprofiles.info/interview/caroline-lucas/|archive-date=11 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lucas was educated at Malvern Girls' College (which became [[Malvern St James]] in 2006), a boarding [[Private schools in the United Kingdom|private school]] in [[Great Malvern]]. She then went to the [[University of Exeter]], where she gained a first-class [[BA (Hons)]] in English Literature in 1983.<ref name="telegraph1"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Assinder |first=Nick |title=Interview: Caroline Lucas |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4374941.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |date=1 April 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090331185502/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4374941.stm |archive-date=31 March 2009 }}</ref> While at university Lucas went on many trips to [[Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp]] and [[Molesworth peace camp]] when involved with the [[Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament]] (CND). Lucas was an activist in CND and was involved in the Snowball Campaign against [[United States Air Force in the United Kingdom|US military bases in the UK]], which involved cutting fences with the expectation of being arrested.<ref name="Argus2007">{{cite news|last=Lewis|first=Sarah|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1583229.Profile_on_Caroline_Lucas_MEP/|title=Profile on Caroline Lucas<!-- No comma. --> MEP|work=The Argus|location=Brighton|date=30 July 2007|access-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210212945/http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1583229.Profile_on_Caroline_Lucas_MEP/|archive-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lucas won a scholarship to attend the [[University of Kansas]] between 1983 and 1984, gaining a [[Diploma of Journalism]],<ref name="Spanner"/> before studying for a PhD degree in English from the University of Exeter, awarded in 1990,<ref name=cphd/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.exeter.ac.uk/alumnisupporters/news/featurednews/title_290573_en.html|title=Ask...Green Party Member of Parliament Caroline Lucas|publisher=University of Exeter|date=14 May 2013|access-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210184105/http://www.exeter.ac.uk/alumnisupporters/news/featurednews/title_290573_en.html|archive-date=10 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> with a thesis entitled ''Writing for Women: a study of woman as reader in Elizabethan romance''.<ref name=EuroPage/> While completing her doctorate, Lucas worked as a press officer for [[Oxfam]] from 1989;<ref name="Hattenstone2015"/> she later worked for the charity in other roles, became active in the [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]] and left Oxfam in 1999.<ref name="Hattenstone2015"/>

==Life and career==

===Early political career===
After being "utterly inspired" by [[Jonathon Porritt]]'s book ''Seeing Green'', Lucas joined the [[Green Party (UK)|Green Party]] in 1986. She noticed that the Green Party office was in [[Clapham]], where she was living at the time, so thought: "Right! I'm going there now, I'm just going to dedicate the rest of my life to this party'."<ref name="Argus2007"/> Soon afterwards she became the party's National Press Officer (1987–1989) and Co-Chair (1989–1990).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greenparty.org.uk/people/caroline-lucas.html|title=Caroline Lucas|publisher=Green Party|access-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106101722/https://www.greenparty.org.uk/people/caroline-lucas.html|archive-date=6 January 2016}}</ref>

When the Green Party became three separate parties in 1990 for the constituent parts of the United Kingdom, she joined the [[Green Party of England and Wales]]. Lucas served as their General Election Speaker from 1991 (for the following year's general election) and a Regional Council Member from 1997.<ref>{{cite news|last=Elliott|first=Amber|url=http://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/5818/part_2/caroline-lucas-going-it-alone.thtml|title=Caroline Lucas: Going it alone|work=Total Politics|date=17 December 2010|access-date=8 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210185604/http://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/5818/part_2/caroline-lucas-going-it-alone.thtml|archive-date=10 December 2015}}</ref>

Lucas's first success in an election came when she gained the Green Party's second council seat in the UK on [[Oxfordshire County Council]], which she held between 1993 and 1997.<ref name=GPEWPage>{{cite web |url=http://www.greenparty.org.uk/people/caroline-lucas-mp.html |title=Dr Caroline Lucas MEP |publisher=Green Party of England and Wales |date=6 May 2010 |access-date=19 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901225414/http://greenparty.org.uk/people/caroline-lucas-mp.html |archive-date=1 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===European Parliament===
Lucas was first elected as a [[Member of the European Parliament]] for the [[South East England (European Parliament constituency)|South East England Region]] at the [[1999 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|1999 elections]], the first year the election was by proportional representation. In that year the Green Party gained 7.4% of the vote (110,571 votes). In November 2001, she was convicted of a [[breach of the peace]] at the [[HMNB Clyde|Faslane nuclear base]] in Scotland the previous February and fined £150 for her participation in a CND sit-down protest. Conducting her own defence at the trial, she pleaded not guilty. Lucas argued that she had a right under the [[Human Rights Act 1998|Human Rights Act]] to peaceful protest following on from her firm [[Anti-nuclear movement in the United Kingdom|anti-nuclear]] attitudes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/1677153.stm|title=MEP fined over nuclear base protest|work=BBC News|date=26 November 2016|access-date=4 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Cramb|first=Auslan|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1363566/Ill-risk-jail-says-MEP-fined-over-Faslane.html|title=I'll risk jail, says MEP fined over Faslane|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=27 November 2001|access-date=4 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010071013/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1363566/Ill-risk-jail-says-MEP-fined-over-Faslane.html|archive-date=10 October 2016}}</ref> Faslane is the base used for Britain's [[Trident nuclear programme]]. She was arrested for a protest at the same location in January 2007. "It still seems ironic that it is a non-violent demonstration that is judged to be a breach of the peace, rather than Britain's illegal and immoral possession of nuclear weapons", she wrote at the time.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lucas|first=Caroline|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2007/jan/10/ethicalliving.environment|title=Why it's vital to fight against this nuclear breach of peace|work=The Guardian|date=10 January 2007|access-date=4 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923155042/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2007/jan/10/ethicalliving.environment|archive-date=23 September 2016}}</ref>

Lucas was [[2004 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|re-elected in 2004]], gaining 173,351 votes (8% share), and again in the [[2009 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2009 election]] when the party's vote under the [[Party-list proportional representation|list system]] rose to 271,506, or 11.6%.<ref name=WikiConstituency>{{cite news |title=South East European Election Result |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/vote2004/euro_uk/html/35.stm |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602060316/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/vote2004/euro_uk/html/35.stm |archive-date=2 June 2009 }}</ref> In the [[European Parliament]], she was a member of the Committee for Trade, Industry, Energy and Research; the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy;<ref name=GPEWPage/> the Committee on International Trade; and the Temporary Committee on Climate Change.<ref name=EuroPage/> She held the party's post of Female [[Principal Speaker]] from 2003 to 2006 and from 2007 to 2008.<ref name=EuroPage>[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/public/geoSearch/view.do?country=GB&partNumber=1&zone=South+East&language=EN&id=4524 Dr. Caroline Lucas MEP] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108164829/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/public/geoSearch/view.do?country=GB&partNumber=1&zone=South+East&language=EN&id=4524 |date=8 January 2008 }}, in the ''[[European Parliament]]''.</ref>

===First period as leader (2008–2012)===
[[File:Caroline Lucas Elise Benjamin Colin Hines Green New Deal Oxford 6777.JPG|thumb|left|Lucas speaking in Oxford about the "[[A Green New Deal]]" report, in 2009]]
Lucas [[2008 Green Party of England and Wales leadership election|was elected]] as the Green Party's first leader on 5 September 2008, gaining 92% of the vote (against one other candidate, Ashley Gunstock) on a turnout of 38%. Previously the party had operated under a collective leadership. She said the change "was about having a face the country recognises – or hopefully comes to recognise. It was in recognition of the fact that people don't really relate to abstract ideas, they relate more to the people who embody them."<ref name="Aitkenhead">{{cite news |last=Aitkenhead |first=Decca |date=18 May 2009 |title=Caroline Lucas: 'We've got to get better at painting a positive vision of a post-carbon world. This is not about sitting around a candle in a cave' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/may/18/interview-caroline-lucas-green-party |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927234631/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/may/18/interview-caroline-lucas-green-party |archive-date=27 September 2016 |access-date=2 September 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> Lucas was elected as the Green Party's first-ever MP (for [[Brighton Pavilion (UK Parliament constituency)|Brighton Pavilion]]) at the general election of 2010.

In July 2010, Lucas expressed her support for seven campaigners of the [[Smash EDO campaign]] who had caused approximately £180,000 damage to the local [[EDO Corporation#EDO MBM and UN Peace Messenger City Brighton and Hove|EDO MBM]] arms factory and were acquitted of conspiring to cause criminal damage. The jury accepted their defence of [[lawful excuse]] – action undertaken to prevent a much worse crime – because the company manufactured and sold certain components used by the Israeli military, notably in its [[Gaza War (2008–2009)|assault on Gaza]]. Lucas stated that: "I am absolutely delighted the jury has recognised that the actions of the decommissioners were a legitimate response to the atrocities being committed in Gaza. I do not advocate non-violent direct action lightly... [but] their actions were driven by the responsibility to prevent further suffering in Gaza."<ref name="Guardian Lucas">{{cite news|work=The Guardian|last1=van der Zee|first1=Bibi|last2=Evans|first2=Rob|title=Brighton MP declares support for acquitted Gaza campaigners|date=2 July 2010|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jul/02/brighton-mp-support-gaza-campaigners|access-date=3 July 2010|location=London|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915144548/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jul/02/brighton-mp-support-gaza-campaigners|archive-date=15 September 2013}}</ref>

In 2011, she voted against the [[2011 military intervention in Libya|military intervention in Libya]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=22 March 2011|title=The full list of how MPs voted on Libya action|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-12816279|access-date=20 October 2021}}</ref>

On 14 May 2012, Lucas announced she would be standing down as leader as of September 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/may/13/caroline-lucas-green-party?newsfeed=true|newspaper=The Guardian|title=Caroline Lucas to step down as leader of the Green party|first=Ben|last=Quinn|date=13 May 2012|location=London|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308224829/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/may/13/caroline-lucas-green-party?newsfeed=true|archive-date=8 March 2016}}</ref>

===Brighton Pavilion===

[[Brighton Pavilion (UK Parliament constituency)|Brighton Pavilion]] had the highest vote in the [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005 general election]] for a Green Party candidate when [[Keith Taylor (British politician)|Keith Taylor]], a former Green Party [[Principal Speaker]], gained 22% of the vote. In 2007, Lucas declared her intention to stand for the Green Party's nomination for the prospective parliamentary candidate in the Brighton Pavilion constituency for the next general election. In a letter to party members, she indicated that she would only stand if she won the internal party selection election by more than 10%, to avoid internal division.<ref name=ArgosArticle>[http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1471414.0.greens_battle_to_be_the_first_mp.php "Greens battle to be the first MP"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234324/http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1471414.0.greens_battle_to_be_the_first_mp.php |date=26 September 2007 }}, ''[[The Argus (Brighton)|The Argus]], Brighton'', 14 June 2007</ref> On 18 July 2007, it was announced that Lucas had been selected by the Brighton Green Party. Lucas won with 55% of the party ballot against Keith Taylor's 45%.<ref name=ArgosArticle2/>

In May 2010, Lucas was elected as the first solely-Green MP to Westminster with a majority of 1,252<ref name="2010 election">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/may/07/green-party-caroline-lucas-mp|title=Green party celebrates as Caroline Lucas becomes its first MP|last=Walker|first=Peter|date=7 May 2010|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=1 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073715/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/may/07/green-party-caroline-lucas-mp|archive-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> ([[Cynog Dafis]] sat as a '[[joint ticket]]' [[Plaid Cymru]]-Green MP from 1992 to 1997<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porritt |first=Jonathon |date=1994-08-28 |title=We need more shades of green: Jonathon Porritt is in disgrace with his party, but unrepentant: they are failing to grasp the new politics |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/we-need-more-shades-of-green-jonathon-porritt-is-in-disgrace-with-his-party-but-unrepentant-they-are-failing-to-grasp-the-new-politics-1379329.html |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cynog Dafis: Britain's first Green MP? - The History of Parliament |url=https://historyofparliament.com/2024/11/11/cynog-dafis/ |website=History of Parliament |access-date=9 December 2024 |date=11 November 2024}}</ref>). She was also the first woman to be elected as an MP for Brighton.<ref name="2010 election"/> She delivered her [[maiden speech]] on 27 May 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greenparty.org.uk/archive/articles-and-speeches/27-05-2010-caroline-lucas-maiden-parliamentary-speech.html|title=Caroline Lucas delivers maiden speech to Parliament|website=www.greenparty.org.uk|access-date=17 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609201845/https://www.greenparty.org.uk/archive/articles-and-speeches/27-05-2010-caroline-lucas-maiden-parliamentary-speech.html|archive-date=9 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lucas opposed the presentation of bare-breasted models on [[page 3]] in ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'' and in 2013 was reprimanded for transgressing the Westminster dress code by wearing a T-shirt with the logo "[[No More Page 3|No More Page Three]]" to protest against the feature during a Commons debate.<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22873790 | title= Caroline Lucas in Page Three T-shirt protest during debate |work=BBC News | date= 12 June 2013 | access-date= 13 June 2013 | url-status= live | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130613210805/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22873790 | archive-date= 13 June 2013 | df= dmy-all }}</ref>

On 19 August 2013, Lucas was arrested at a non-violent protest against [[Cuadrilla Resources]] fracking operations in Sussex.<ref>{{cite news|title=Green MP Caroline Lucas arrested at climate protest|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23753750|work=BBC News|access-date=26 August 2013|date=19 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823180036/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23753750|archive-date=23 August 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> She was subsequently charged with [[Highways Act 1980|obstructing a public highway]] but was found not guilty on 17 April 2014 at Brighton Magistrates' Court. Following the hearing, Lucas said: "This judgement is right but this is not a victory or cause for celebration. We will continue to campaign to end fracking and only celebrate when our world is on the path to a clean energy future".<ref name="bbc-cleared">{{cite news|title=Green MP Caroline Lucas cleared over fracking protest|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27069345|access-date=17 April 2014|work=BBC News|date=17 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418162822/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27069345|archive-date=18 April 2014}}</ref>

In the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]], Lucas was re-elected with a much increased majority of 7,967<!-- 1,252 in 2010. --> and vote share.<!-- 41.8% against 31.3%. --><ref name="bbc constituency">{{cite news|title=Brighton Pavilion Parliamentary constituency|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000598|work=BBC News|access-date=8 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118103903/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000598|archive-date=18 January 2018}}</ref> In the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]] Lucas increased her majority to 14,689, elected on 52.3% of the vote.<ref name="bbc constituency"/> Her vote majority increased again in the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 election]] by 5% with 33,151 votes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50774493|title=Green Party's Caroline Lucas increases majority|date=13 December 2019|access-date=14 December 2019|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215041830/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50774493|archive-date=15 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In accord with long-standing Green policy, Lucas voted in 2015 for holding the [[European Union Referendum Act 2015|European Union Referendum]], but campaigning to stay in the EU with major reform.<ref name=carolinelucas-20111021>{{cite web |url=https://www.carolinelucas.com/latest/yes-to-an-eu-referendum |title=Yes to an EU referendum |last=Lucas |first=Caroline |publisher=Caroline Lucas |date=21 October 2011 |access-date=25 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725135139/https://www.carolinelucas.com/latest/yes-to-an-eu-referendum |archive-date=25 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=hansard-20150609>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm150609/debtext/150609-0004.htm |title=EU Referendum |last=Lucas |first=Caroline |publisher=UK Parliament |work=Hansard |id=9 June 2015: Column 1142 |date=9 June 2015 |access-date=25 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016141608/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm150609/debtext/150609-0004.htm |archive-date=16 October 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 8 June 2023, Lucas announced she would not be standing at the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]].<ref name="auto"/> On 19 July 2023, it was announced that [[Siân Berry]] will be the Green candidate for Lucas' Brighton seat at the next election.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Badshah |first=Nadeem |date=19 July 2023 |title=Siân Berry to be Green candidate for Caroline Lucas's Brighton seat |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jul/19/sian-berry-green-party-candidate-caroline-lucas-brighton-pavilion-seat |access-date=8 August 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

===Co-leader with Jonathan Bartley===
On 31 May 2016, it was announced that Lucas would run for the position of the Leader of the [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]] in a job share arrangement with the welfare spokesman [[Jonathan Bartley]] in the forthcoming [[2016 Green Party of England and Wales leadership election|2016 Green Party leadership election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/31/caroline-lucas-stand-green-party-leadership-job-share|title=Caroline Lucas to stand for Green party leadership as job share|last=Stewart|first=Heather|work=The Guardian|date=31 May 2016|access-date=31 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601135553/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/31/caroline-lucas-stand-green-party-leadership-job-share|archive-date=1 June 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Caroline Lucas and Vice Cable sharing a joke.jpg|thumb|Lucas with [[Vince Cable]], in 2017]]
On 2 September, it was announced that Lucas and Bartley had been elected with 86% of first-preference votes.<ref name="Walker2016">{{cite news|last=Walker|first=Peter|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/02/caroline-lucas-and-jonathan-bartley-voted-joint-leaders-of-green-party|title=Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley voted joint leaders of Green party|work=The Guardian|date=2 September 2016|access-date=2 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902135114/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/02/caroline-lucas-and-jonathan-bartley-voted-joint-leaders-of-green-party|archive-date=2 September 2016}}</ref> Lucas said the party would strive to preserve the rights of EU nationals living in Britain, and EU rules on workers' rights and the environment, among other policies.<ref name="Walker2016"/>

In May 2018, Lucas announced that at the end of her two-year term in September, she would not seek re-election as co-leader of the Green Party.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44297817 |title=Caroline Lucas to step down as Green Party co-leader |work=BBC News |date=30 May 2018 |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602190533/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44297817 |archive-date=2 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In an article for ''[[The Guardian]]'', Lucas wrote that "it's now time for me to show the power of letting go".<ref>{{cite news |last=Lucas |first=Caroline |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/30/green-party-leader-politics-environment-caroline-lucas |title=Why I'm not going to stand again to be Green party leader |work=The Guardian |date=30 May 2018 |access-date=30 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530004637/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/30/green-party-leader-politics-environment-caroline-lucas |archive-date=30 May 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Other roles and views===
Lucas is a supporter of [[animal rights]] and [[animal welfare|welfare]] and an advocate for major reform to the food and agricultural system. She served as vice president of the [[Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]] but resigned in December 2024 following investigations showing [[cruelty to animals|animal cruelty]] at [[RSPCA Assured]] farms.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bartholomew |first1=Jem |title=This article is more than 7 months old Chris Packham and Caroline Lucas accuse RSPCA of 'legitimising cruelty' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/21/chris-packham-and-caroline-lucas-accuse-rspca-of-legitimising-cruelty |access-date=7 August 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=21 December 2024 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241221112714/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/21/chris-packham-and-caroline-lucas-accuse-rspca-of-legitimising-cruelty |archive-date=21 December 2024}}</ref> She has encouraged policymakers to consider a [[meat tax]] to promote more humane farming methods and incentivize the adoption of [[plant-based diet]]s to reduce food-related [[greenhouse gas emissions]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harvey |first1=Fiona |last2=van der Zee |first2=Bibi |title=Caroline Lucas urges parliament to 'seriously consider' tax on meat |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/04/caroline-lucas-green-mp-meat-tax-oxford-farmers-conference-prioritise-sustainability |access-date=7 August 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=4 January 2019 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20190104081854/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/04/caroline-lucas-green-mp-meat-tax-oxford-farmers-conference-prioritise-sustainability |archive-date=4 January 2019}}</ref> In 2021, she expressed support for the [[Plant-based action plan#Plant Based Treaty|Plant Based Treaty]] and urged the government to include food system reform in its climate agenda.<ref>{{cite news |last1=RIdler |first1=James |title=Government urged to shift to plant-based food system |url=https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2021/11/15/Government-urged-to-shift-to-plant-based-food-system |access-date=7 August 2025 |work=Food Manufacture |date=15 November 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20211116142150/https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2021/11/15/Government-urged-to-shift-to-plant-based-food-system |archive-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>

Lucas has been on the National Council of the [[Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament]] since 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/2005/10/20/green-mep-re-elected-to-cnd-national-council/|publisher=Green Party|title=Green MEP Re-elected To CND National Council|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316102048/http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/2005/10/20/green-mep-re-elected-to-cnd-national-council/|archive-date=16 March 2012}}</ref> She is also Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Peak Oil and Gas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://appgopo.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26|publisher=All Party Parliamentary Group on Peak Oil and Gas|title=Membership|access-date=19 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122051801/http://appgopo.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26|archive-date=22 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> A former vice-president of the [[Stop the War Coalition]], she resigned from the post in December 2015;<ref>{{cite news|last=Hughes|first=Laura|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/12039333/Caroline-Lucas-resigns-from-Stop-the-War-after-finding-herself-unable-to-support-groups-recent-positions.html|title=Caroline Lucas resigns from Stop the War, after finding herself unable to support group's 'recent positions'|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=8 December 2015|access-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209090258/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/12039333/Caroline-Lucas-resigns-from-Stop-the-War-after-finding-herself-unable-to-support-groups-recent-positions.html|archive-date=9 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> she stated that her "busy parliamentary and constituency schedule means that she doesn't have time to fully engage with the role of a patron and, in light of some recent StWC positions that she didn't support, she felt standing down was the responsible thing to do".<ref>{{cite news|last=Perraudin|first=Frances|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/dec/08/caroline-lucas-steps-down-from-stop-the-war-coalition|title=Green MP Caroline Lucas steps down from Stop the War Coalition role|work=The Guardian|date=8 December 2015|access-date=8 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="Riddell">{{cite news|last=Riddell|first=Mary|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/green-party/12046519/Caroline-Lucas-I-dont-want-to-be-a-stick-to-beat-Jeremy-Corbyn-with.html|title=Caroline Lucas: I don't want to be a stick to beat Jeremy Corbyn with|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=13 December 2015|access-date=2 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920050123/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/green-party/12046519/Caroline-Lucas-I-dont-want-to-be-a-stick-to-beat-Jeremy-Corbyn-with.html|archive-date=20 September 2016}}</ref>

Lucas is an advocate for [[Drug liberalization|reform]] of UK drug laws. She has called for the law to have an evidence-based approach to drugs that treats drug abuse as a health matter, rather than a criminal one.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29821698 |title=Drugs policy: End 'robotic rhetoric' says minister |work=BBC News |date=30 October 2014 |access-date= 9 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012073935/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29821698 |archive-date=12 October 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.carolinelucas.com/issues/health-and-public-services |title=Health and public services |work=www.carolinelucas.com |access-date=9 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152638/https://www.carolinelucas.com/issues/health-and-public-services |archive-date=27 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmhaff/184/184we146.htm |title= Home Affairs Committee – Drugs: Breaking the Cycle – Written evidence submitted by Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion (DP173) |publisher=UK Parliament |date=8 December 2012 |access-date=9 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029162711/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmhaff/184/184we146.htm |archive-date=29 October 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In early 2013, Lucas co-signed a letter that was published in ''The Guardian'' newspaper and officially marked her support for the [[People's Assembly Against Austerity]] movement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/feb/05/people-assembly-against-austerity |title=People's Assembly Against Austerity |work=The Guardian |date=5 February 2013 |access-date=16 September 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725065133/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/feb/05/people-assembly-against-austerity |archive-date=25 July 2015}}</ref> She also gave a speech at the People's Assembly Conference, held at [[Methodist Central Hall, Westminster|Westminster Central Hall]] on 22 June 2013.

In August 2015, Lucas endorsed [[Jeremy Corbyn]]'s [[Jeremy Corbyn 2015 Labour Party leadership campaign|campaign]] in the [[2015 Labour Party leadership election (UK)|Labour Party leadership election]]. She wrote in ''[[The Independent]]'': "I've never felt so optimistic about a potential leader of the Labour Party. For the first time in my memory, the party of [[Keir Hardie]] and [[Clement Attlee]] looks likely to be led again by someone who dares to stand up for the radical changes demanded by the challenges we face."<ref name="independent">{{cite news|last=Lucas|first=Caroline|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/my-message-to-jeremy-corbyn-i-can-help-you-build-a-progressive-majority-10469934.html|title=My message to Jeremy Corbyn: I can help you build a progressive majority|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=24 August 2015|access-date=15 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715071735/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/my-message-to-jeremy-corbyn-i-can-help-you-build-a-progressive-majority-10469934.html|archive-date=15 July 2017}}</ref>

Lucas is a supporter of a permanent [[universal basic income]].<ref>{{cite news |last= Lucas |first= Caroline |date= 15 January 2016 |title= These are the simple reasons why a basic income for all could transform our society for the better |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/if-everyone-was-given-a-basic-income-it-would-probably-cost-less-than-camerons-means-testing-for-a6814701.html |work= The Independent |access-date= 20 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.carolinelucas.com/latest/the-case-for-a-basic-income-is-growing |title= The case for a Basic Income is growing |date= 16 January 2016 |website= www.carolinelucas.com |access-date= 20 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |user= CarolineLucas |number= 1240692045909348365 |date= 19 March 2020 |title= Pleased to have joined cross party calls for immediate universal basic income payment to cushion coronavirus impact – and personally believe we should work towards it being permanent, to enable real security for all, instead of our current flawed system}}</ref> In January 2016, Lucas tabled a motion in the British Parliament, calling on the Government to commission research into the effects of a universal basic income and examine its feasibility to replace the UK's existing social security system.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stone |first=Jon |date=20 January 2016 |title=British parliament to consider motion on universal basic income |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/universal-basic-income-british-parliament-to-consider-motion-uk-a6823211.html |work=The Independent |access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>

In 2016, she criticised the government's decision to move ahead with construction of the [[Hinkley Point C nuclear power station]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vidal |first=John |date=2016-07-28 |title=Nuclear critics condemn decision to give Hinkley Point C project go-ahead |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/28/nuclear-critics-condemn-government-for-pushing-through-hinkley-point-c |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

On 15 April 2018, she attended the launch event of the [[People's Vote]], a campaign group calling for a public vote on the final [[Brexit]] deal between the UK and the European Union.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brexit: 'People's Vote' campaign group launched |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43774200 |work=BBC News |date=15 April 2018 |access-date=17 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416234820/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43774200 |archive-date=16 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2019, Lucas was subject to criticism for suggesting the creation of an all-female cabinet, who happened to be all white, as part of a [[national unity government]], to try to stop a no-deal Brexit.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49321430|title=Green MP criticised over all-female cabinet plan|date=12 August 2019|work=BBC News|access-date=12 August 2019|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812211127/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49321430|archive-date=12 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, she criticised the [[Leader of the House of Commons]], [[Jacob Rees-Mogg]] for appearing to recline on a front bench asleep while she was delivering a speech.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/03/sit-up-jacob-rees-mogg-under-fire-for-slouching-in-commons|title='Sit up!' – Jacob Rees-Mogg under fire for slouching in Commons|newspaper=The Guardian|date=3 September 2019|access-date=19 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/jacob-rees-mogg-photo-viral-lounging-house-of-commons-205321338.html|title=Jacob Rees-Mogg mocked as 'physical embodiment of arrogance and entitlement' after photo goes viral|work=Yahoo News|date=3 September 2019|access-date=19 December 2023}}</ref>

In February 2020, she was investigated by the [[Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards]], following a complaint by [[Michael Fabricant]] that she had offered a tour of the Commons in exchange for £150, as part of a fundraising drive. Lucas said she did not believe she had done anything wrong.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-sussex-51560990 |title=Caroline Lucas investigated over tour fundraiser |date=19 February 2020 |access-date=19 February 2020 |work=BBC News}}</ref> An investigation found she had breached the House of Commons Code of Conduct in offering and giving the tour. The Standards Commissioner also found that it gave her an "unfair advantage over other election candidates". Lucas acknowledged that she had breached the rules and promised not to repeat the breach; the Green Party returned the donation to the supporter who received the tour.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/18319194.caroline-lucas-breached-house-commons-rules/ |title=Caroline Lucas breached House of Commons rules |work=[[The Argus (Brighton)|The Argus]] |last=Doherty-Cove |first=Jody |date=19 March 2020 |access-date=28 March 2020}}</ref>

In 2021, Lucas was one of three MPs who successfully took legal action against the [[Department of Health and Social Care]] over contracts awarded during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Coronavirus: 'Right' to delay contract transparency in pandemic, says Hancock |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56145490 |access-date=21 February 2021 |work=BBC News |date=21 February 2021}}</ref>

In 2021, Lucas criticised the [[High Speed 2|HS2 high-speed project]], saying it was a "vanity project" and that the construction of the high-speed rail project would emit more carbon than could be saved over decades.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-02-11 |title=HS2: Next phase of controversial rail network gets green light |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56017605 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Lucas supports [[ecocide]] being made a crime at the [[International Criminal Court]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Supporters of Ecocide Law |url=https://www.stopecocide.earth/supporters |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=Stop Ecocide International |language=en-US}}</ref>

====Writing====
Lucas is a prolific writer of reports, articles and books on the subjects of [[trade justice]], [[localism (politics)|localisation]], [[globalisation]], [[animal welfare]], and food, in which she criticises [[free trade]], a [[single European currency]], trade-led development policies, [[genetically modified food]], and a lack of attention to environmental and social issues.<ref name="PersonalPage">[https://web.archive.org/web/20020406014047/http://carolinelucasmep.org.uk/framesets/biog.html Dr Caroline Lucas MEP's Biography] on her own website</ref> Her most substantial work is ''Green Alternatives to Globalisation: A Manifesto'' (co-authored with [[Mike Woodin]] in 2004), which advocates localisation of economies based on minimal trade and greater social and environmental concern, in opposition to [[neo-liberal]], market-led forces of globalisation.<ref name=GAG>{{cite book|title=Green Alternatives to Globalisation|year=2004|publisher=Pluto Press|isbn=0-7453-1932-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780745319322/page/262 262]|author=Michael Woodin and Caroline Lucas|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780745319322/page/262}}</ref> A book by Lucas on her time in parliament, ''Honourable Friends: Parliament and the Fight for Change'', was published in 2015.<ref name="Lucas2015">{{cite book|author=Caroline Lucas|title=Honourable Friends: Parliament and the Fight for Change|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=36egBgAAQBAJ|date=5 March 2015|publisher=Granta|isbn=978-1-84627-594-4}}</ref> In April 2024 via [[Hutchinson Heinemann]], Lucas published a book titled ''Another England: How to Reclaim Our National Story''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theguardian.com/books/2024/apr/04/another-england-by-caroline-lucas-review-seeing-green|title=Another England by Caroline Lucas review – seeing green|journal=The Guardian|first=Gaby|last=Hinsliff|date=4 April 2024|accessdate=18 December 2024}}</ref>

==Awards==
[[File:Caroline Lucas speech 20080906.ogg|thumb|Lucas speaking as the first Leader of the [[Green Party of England and Wales]] at its 2008 autumn conference]]
In her time as a politician and activist, Lucas has won the 2006 Michael Kay Award "for her outstanding contribution to European animal welfare" from the [[RSPCA]].<ref name=Award>{{Cite web|url=http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/2006/06/27/rspca-presents-lucas-with-‘michael-kay-award-for-animal-welfare-work/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422134538/http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/2006/06/27/rspca-presents-lucas-with-%E2%80%98michael-kay-award-for-animal-welfare-work/|url-status=dead|title=RSPCA Presents Lucas With 'Michael Kay' Award For Animal Welfare Work|archive-date=22 April 2014}}</ref> In December 2024, Lucas and [[Chris Packham]] resigned from the RSPCA after accusing it of "legitimising cruelty".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/21/chris-packham-and-caroline-lucas-accuse-rspca-of-legitimising-cruelty|title=Chris Packham and Caroline Lucas accuse RSPCA of 'legitimising cruelty'|first=Jem|last=Bartholomew|date=21 December 2024|via=The Guardian}}</ref>

Lucas has won the award for Politician of the Year in ''[[The Observer]]'' Newspaper Ethical Awards three times. The award is voted for by ''Observer'' readers, who chose her to win in 2007, 2009 and 2010.<ref name=Observer>[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2007/jun/10/ethicalliving.lifeandhealth3 Who cares wins...] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928014401/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2007/jun/10/ethicalliving.lifeandhealth3 |date=28 September 2016 }}, ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/observer-ethical-awards/gallery/observer-ethical-awards-2009?picture=348396981 The Observer Ethical Awards 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306165209/http://www.theguardian.com/observer-ethical-awards/gallery/observer-ethical-awards-2009?picture=348396981 |date=6 March 2016 }}, ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jun/13/emma-john-observer-ethical-awards-caroline-lucas-politician-award Observer Ethical Awards: Caroline Lucas, Ethical Politician Award] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307192518/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jun/13/emma-john-observer-ethical-awards-caroline-lucas-politician-award |date=7 March 2016 }}, ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref> In 2008, she was listed by ''The Guardian'' as one of "50 people who could save the planet".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/jan/05/activists.ethicalliving|newspaper=The Guardian|title=50 people who could save the planet|access-date=21 July 2011|location=London|first1=John|last1=Vidal|first2=David|last2=Adam|first3=Jonathan|last3=Watts|first4=Leo|last4=Hickman|first5=Ian|last5=Sample|date=4 January 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926044843/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/jan/05/activists.ethicalliving|archive-date=26 September 2013}}</ref>

In October 2008, Lucas was winner in the Trade category of ''[[The Parliament (magazine)|The Parliament]]'' magazine MEP Awards 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theparliament.com/mepawards/winners|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012071517/http://www.theparliament.com/mepawards/winners|url-status=dead|title=MEP Awards 2008 Winners|archive-date=12 October 2009}}</ref> The awards are voted for by MEPs and [[Non-governmental organization|NGO]]s.  In April 2010, Lucas won Best UK Politician in ''[[The Independent]]'' Green Awards<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/the-green-awards-our-experts-celebrate-those-doing-most-to-protect-our-fragile-environment-1944616.html The Green Awards: Our experts celebrate those doing most to protect our fragile environment] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222193516/http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/the-green-awards-our-experts-celebrate-those-doing-most-to-protect-our-fragile-environment-1944616.html |date=22 February 2017 }}, ''[[The Independent]]''</ref> and in November 2010, she was awarded "Newcomer of the Year" in ''[[The Spectator]]'' Parliamentarian of the Year awards.<ref>[http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/6473858/parliamentarian-of-the-year-award-recipients-2010.thtml Parliamentarian of the Year award recipients 2010], ''[[The Spectator]]'' {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121170338/http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/6473858/parliamentarian-of-the-year-award-recipients-2010.thtml |date=21 November 2010 }}</ref> In July 2011, she was awarded "Best all-rounder" in the ''[[Total Politics]]'' End of Year MP awards<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/162072/the-end-of-year-mp-awards.thtml|publisher=Total Politics|title=The End of Year MP awards|access-date=18 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903050250/http://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/162072/the-end-of-year-mp-awards.thtml|archive-date=3 September 2011}}</ref> and in September 2011, she was awarded "MP of the Year" in the Women in Public Life Awards 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.womeninpubliclifeawards.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122&Itemid=19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005233239/http://www.womeninpubliclifeawards.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122&Itemid=19|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 October 2011|publisher=Dods Parliamentary Communications Limited|title=Women in Public Life Awards 2011|access-date=18 September 2011}}</ref>  Also in 2011 she was given the [[Political Studies Association]] award for "Influencing the Political Agenda"<ref name="PSA2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.psa.ac.uk/PSAPubs/Awards2011.pdf |publisher=[[Political Studies Association]] |title=2011 Political Studies Association Awards Ceremony |access-date=29 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321061655/http://www.psa.ac.uk/PSAPubs/Awards2011.pdf |archive-date=21 March 2012 }}</ref> and voted "Progressive of the Year" in ''[[Left Foot Forward]]'s'' readers' poll.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/12/look-left-23-12-11/|publisher=[[Left Foot Forward]]|title=Look Left&nbsp;– Look back at the year|access-date=17 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111121337/http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/12/look-left-23-12-11/|archive-date=11 January 2012|url-status=live|date=23 December 2011}}</ref>

In November 2020, she was included in the [[BBC Radio 4]] [[Woman's Hour]] Power list 2020.<ref name="WomansHour_2020PowerList">{{cite web |title=Woman's Hour Power List 2020: The List |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5f6X3JsVjcGXfXstdbYxhkk/womans-hour-power-list-2020-the-list |website=BBC Radio4 |access-date=16 November 2020}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 1991, Lucas married [[Richard Savage (cricketer)|Richard Savage]]. The couple have two sons, one of whom is an academic at the [[University of California, Santa Barbara]].<ref name=whoswho /><ref name="Riddell"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.global.ucsb.edu/people/theodore-lequesne|title=Theodore LeQuesne |publisher=Department of Global Studies – UC Santa Barbara|website=www.global.ucsb.edu|language=en|access-date=14 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828225144/http://www.global.ucsb.edu/people/theodore-lequesne|archive-date=28 August 2017}}</ref>

Lucas is a [[vegetarian]]; she told ''[[ITV News]]'' political correspondent [[Paul Brand (journalist)|Paul Brand]] in September 2019 that she is "moving as fast as she can towards being [[vegan]]".<ref>{{cite news |date= 19 September 2019 |title= Acting Prime Minister: Caroline Lucas on updating Parliament, Britain's nuclear 'shame' and what stops her going vegan |url= https://www.itv.com/news/2019-09-19/acting-prime-minister-caroline-lucas-on-moving-parliament-making-it-vegetarian-and-britain-s-nuclear-weapons/ |work= ITV News |access-date= 7 June 2020}}</ref>

== Films ==
In 2016, a short documentary film about Lucas, ''One Green Seat'', directed by Daniel Ifans and produced by We Are Tilt,<ref>{{Citation|title=One Green Seat|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6246828/|access-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213210613/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6246828/|archive-date=13 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Tilt|title=Bungaroosh – One Green Seat|date=3 March 2017|url=https://vimeo.com/206588425|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7582146/|title=Daniel Ifans|website=IMDb|access-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215160642/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7582146/|archive-date=15 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> was an Official Selection at the 2017 ''Artemis Women In Action Film Festival'' in [[Santa Monica, California]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.artemisfilmfestival.com/|title=Home|website=Artemis Women In Action Film Festival|language=en-US|access-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213170659/http://www.artemisfilmfestival.com/|archive-date=13 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
===Books===
* ''Green Alternatives to Globalisation: A Manifesto'' (2004), co-written with [[Mike Woodin]]
* ''Honourable Friends? Parliament and the Fight for Change'' (2015)
* ''Another England: How to Reclaim Our National Story'' (2024)

===Edited volumes===
* ''The Alternative: Towards a New Progressive Politics'' (2016), co-edited with [[Lisa Nandy]] and Chris Bowers

===Essays and chapters===
* in ''What the Three Main Parties are not Telling You: A Radical Way Out of Stagnation and Inequality'' (2015), edited by [[Michael Meacher]]
* Forward in ''Resurrection Trust'' (2019), edited by Amanda Saint

==References==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
[[File:Caroline Lucas keynote Green Party England and Wales 2006-09-23.jpg|thumb|250px|Caroline Lucas keynote speech at the autumn conference of the [[Green Party of England and Wales]] with Councillor [[Rupert Read]] looking on, Hove, 23 September 2006]]

* {{Cite book |author=Caroline Lucas |editor=Extinction Rebellion |editor-link=Extinction Rebellion |title=This Is Not a Drill: An Extinction Rebellion Handbook |publisher=Penguin Books |date=2019 |pages=141–145 |chapter=Chapter 24: A political view |isbn=9780141991443}}
* {{Cite book|last1=Bennett|first1=Natalie|author-link1=Natalie Bennett|last2=Bütikofer|first2=Reinhard|last3=Jeraj|first3=Samir|last4=Jordan|first4=Klina|author-link4=Make Votes Matter|last5=Juniper|first5=Tony|last6=Lambert|first6=Jean|last7=Lucas|first7=Caroline|last8=Rüdig|first8=Wolfgang|last9=Scott Cato|first9=Molly|author-link9=Molly Scott Cato|last10=Taylor|first10=Keith|author-link10=Keith Taylor (British politician)|editor-last1=Ward|editor-first1=Liam|title=Greens for a Better Europe: Twenty Years of Green Influence in the European Parliament, 1999–2019|<!-- Acc to website -->location=London|publisher=London Publishing Partnership|year=2019|isbn=978-1-907994-88-3}}
* {{Cite book|last1=Fox|first1=Liam|author-link1=Liam Fox|last2=Lucas|first2=Caroline|last3=Lygo|first3=Raymond|author-link3=Raymond Lygo|last4=Beach|first4=Hugh|author-link4=Hugh Beach|last5=Grief|first5=Nick|last6=Haines|first6=Steven|last7=Short|first7=Clare|author-link7=Clare Short|last8=Hare|first8=Tim|last9=Lewis|first9=Julian|author-link9=Julian Lewis (politician)|last10=Midgley|first10=Mary|author-link10=Mary Midgley|editor-last1=Booth|editor-first1=Ken|editor-link1=Ken Booth (academic)|editor-last2=Barnaby|editor-first2=Frank|editor-link2=Frank Barnaby
|title=The Future of Britain's Nuclear Weapons|<!-- Acc to website -->location=London|publisher=Oxford Research Group|year=2006|isbn=978-0-9511361-9-5}}
* Lucas, C. P., Woodin, M., ''Green Alternatives to Globalisation: A Manifesto'', 2004 {{ISBN|978-0-7453-1933-9}}
* Lucas, C. P., ''Global Warming, Local Warning: A study of the likely impacts of climate change upon South East England'', 2004
* Lucas, C. P., ''Towards a GM free Europe: Halting the spread of GMOs in Europe'', 2003
* Jones, A., Lucas, C. P., ''Local Food: Benefits and Opportunities'', 2003
* Lucas, C. P., ''Time to Replace Globalisation'', 2001
* Lucas, C. P., ''Which way for the European Union: Radical Reform or Business as Usual?'', 2001
* Hines, C., Lucas, C. P., ''Stopping the Great Food Swap: Relocalising Europe's Food Supply'', 2001
* Lucas, C. P., ''From Seattle to Nice: Challenging the Free Trade Agenda at the Heart of Enlargement'', 2000
* Lucas, C. P., Woodin, M., ''The Euro or a Sustainable Future for Britain? A Green Critique of the Single Currency'', 2000
* Lucas, C. P., ''Watchful in Seattle: World Trade Organisation threats to Public Services, Food and the Environment'', 1999
* Lucas, C. P., ''Reforming World Trade: The Social and Environmental Priorities'', 1996
* Coote, B., Lucas, C. P., ''The Trade Trap'', 1994
* {{cite book|last=Lucas|first=Caroline|title=Writing for Women: The Example of Woman as Reader in Elizabethan Romance|year=1989|publisher=Open University Press|isbn=0-335-09017-6|page=176}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q9670|n=Category:Caroline Lucas|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|f=no|species=no|wikt=no|s=no}}
*{{Official website}}
*{{Bluesky}}
*{{UK MP links | parliament = caroline-lucas/3930 | publicwhip = Caroline_Lucas | theywork = Caroline_Lucas}}
*[http://www.newstatesman.com/environment/2010/05/interview-climate-european The NS interview: Caroline Lucas], Alyssa McDonald, ''[[New Statesman]]'', 12 May 2010
*[http://www.edms.org.uk/mps/24910/ Early Day Motions signed]
*{{C-SPAN}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-new|office}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Green Party of England and Wales]]|years=2008–2012}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Natalie Bennett]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Natalie Bennett]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Green Party of England and Wales]]|years=2016–2018|alongside=[[Jonathan Bartley]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jonathan Bartley]] |after2=[[Siân Berry]]}}
|-
{{s-par|uk}}
{{s-bef|before=[[David Lepper]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Brighton Pavilion (UK Parliament constituency)|Brighton Pavilion]]|years=[[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]]–[[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Siân Berry]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{People's Vote}}
{{Brighton and Hove}}
{{GPEW|Elected}}
{{Leaders of political parties in the United Kingdom}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lucas, Caroline}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Lucas family|Caroline]]
[[Category:20th-century women MEPs for England]]
[[Category:21st-century British women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century English women writers]]
[[Category:21st-century women MEPs for England]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Exeter]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:British drug policy reform activists]]
[[Category:Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament activists]]
[[Category:English environmentalists]]
[[Category:English non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:English republicans]]
[[Category:British socialist feminists]]
[[Category:Female members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for English constituencies]]
[[Category:Green Party of England and Wales councillors]]
[[Category:Green Party of England and Wales MEPs]]
[[Category:Green Party of England and Wales MPs]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Green Party of England and Wales]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of Oxfordshire County Council]]
[[Category:MEPs for England 1999–2004]]
[[Category:MEPs for England 2004–2009]]
[[Category:MEPs for England 2009–2014]]
[[Category:People educated at Malvern St James]]
[[Category:People from Malvern, Worcestershire]]
[[Category:Politicians from Brighton and Hove]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2010–2015]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2015–2017]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2017–2019]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2019–2024]]
[[Category:Universal basic income in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:University of Kansas alumni]]
[[Category:Women councillors in England]]