Steering Group update: November 2026
9th Nov 2026 · By Greg – GO Operations Lead
Hello GO members! Three weeks ago we elected our new Steering Group and since then they have been hard at work getting to grips with all things GO. This is the first in a new series of monthly updates covering the talking points, decisions and actions that your Greens Organise Steering Group are taking. This post includes updates from the first two Steering Group meetings, held on 19th October and 2nd November.
The newly elected Steering Group started by appointing members to fill the constitutionally required roles. Robert Magowan and Georgia Gibson are the group’s new Co-Chairs, Emily Gulliksen is the Treasurer and Steve Jackson has been voted in as the new Compliance Officer. Beyond the constitutional positions, each of the existing GO projects and working groups now has an interim lead appointed from the Steering Group, while new coordinators are being recruited to help further develop our core capacity. The Safeguarding Officer role is still to be filled, and the Steering Group hope to have someone in post after the next meeting.
Organising for Democracy
With so much attention focused on the Green Party’s internal structures, the top priority for the new Steering Group is to outline GO’s approach to member-led democratic reforms. Changes to how the party makes decisions now look likely, and they may well be designed to weaken organised groups like GO. However, voices on the left of the party have argued in favour of democratic reform for many years. It may not have come onto the agenda for the right reasons, but our new Steering Group see this moment as an opportunity to put forward changes that give members real power.
The Steering Group discussed how GO should democratically develop our position on this issue. Some suggested that a group with detailed knowledge of the party’s structures should lead the work, while others stressed the importance of involving the whole membership from the start. They agreed that the Steering Group will lead an open process: gathering proposals from members, bringing them together, and then asking members to debate and vote on them before GO takes a position.
That process began on Wednesday with the launch of Organising for Democracy. GO is inviting members to submit detailed proposals on how, and whether, the party’s internal democracy should be reformed. Submissions are open until 11pm on Wednesday 18th November.
Finding the next generation of ecosocialist candidates
The candidates the party selects over the coming months will shape its direction for years to come. Joe Todd, who runs GO’s candidate recruitment programme, joined the November meeting to give an update on this vital project. Teams of GO members across England and Wales are already working to find ecosocialist candidates in their areas. We are always looking for more volunteer recruiters, especially in underrepresented parts of the country, so please get in touch.
The Steering Group’s next task is to agree which candidates GO should put before members for endorsement. That means interviewing potential candidates to understand their politics, their story, their vision, and putting them to local GO members to agree on if they would like GO to endorse this candidate for their local MP selection. There was also agreement that any work GO puts into campaigning for a candidate should aim to leave a lasting legacy locally, whatever the result.
If you’re interested in standing as a candidate, whether as an MP or a Mayor, GO would like to hear from you. You can add your details here, however far along the candidate journey you are.
Local groups
Parissa, GO’s National Organiser, gave an update to the Steering Group on how local groups have been progressing. So far every group has started out with GO members getting together, usually beginning with a WhatsApp chat, before holding a launch event and then building towards regular in-person and online meetings. Bristol, the North East, Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire, among others, have now begun the process of becoming formal GO local groups.
The Steering Group and Parissa will now work with members to support that formalisation process. The Steering Group are also considering whether GO should proactively look to start groups in areas yet to form one, and how local or regional coordinators could share the organising work. If you’re interested in starting a group in your area, please get in touch.
Behind the scenes
Much of the first two meetings also focused on how GO runs day to day. GO is recruiting volunteer coordinators for projects including political education, international solidarity, party democracy, comms, diversity and tech. If you would like to help GO with any of our ongoing projects, send us an email outlining what you are keen to help with.
The Steering Group are currently reviewing a plan for the long-term management of GO’s WhatsApp community, which now has around 1,500 people across 29 groups. The plan outlines how to keep it a positive, well-moderated space for members and supporters. If you have not joined our WhatsApp community yet, the link to your regional group can be found in the membership portal.
In October, GO published a statement supporting Green councillors facing Labour’s ultimatum over the Zionism is Racism motion. The Steering Group were united in showing solidarity with our councillors in the face of reckless political point-scoring from Labour. The Steering Group are also making plans to meet in person in early December for an away day to plan the year ahead.
Our AGM
GO’s AGM will take place on Thursday 26th November, 7–9pm. The agenda will cover democratic reform, Labour withdrawing from jointly run councils, and what the left can learn from recent victories abroad, with time for members to discuss these and other topics together.
Resolutions can be sent to info@greensorganise.uk until midnight on 12th November and should be under 500 words. Amendments are due by 24th November. You can RSVP for the AGM here.
That’s all for this month’s update. If you have any questions, or suggestions for what you’d like to see covered next time, please get in touch at info@greensorganise.uk.