The Toby Gribben Show

Natalie Bennett, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, is a politician and journalist. She had a working-class background and was the first in her family to attend university. Bennett received her education at MLC School, an independent day school for girls in Burwood, New South Wales, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, and a Master of Arts in Mass Communication.

Bennett began her career in journalism in Australia, working for regional newspapers such as the Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth. In 1995, she moved to Thailand, where she worked for Australian Volunteers International and the Bangkok Post newspaper. In 1999, she settled in the United Kingdom and started contributing to various publications, including The Guardian, The Independent, and The Times. Bennett served as the deputy editor and later editor of The Guardian Weekly from 2007 to 2012.

In January 2006, Bennett joined the Green Party of England and Wales. She ran for various positions, including the Camden Council election and the London Assembly elections, but was not elected. In September 2012, she was elected as the leader of the Green Party, succeeding Caroline Lucas. During her leadership, the party saw an increase in support, and Bennett played a significant role in raising its profile. She also stood as the Green Party candidate in the 2015 general election for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency.

After serving two terms as leader, Bennett did not seek re-election in 2016. However, she continued to be involved in politics and was selected to contest the Sheffield Central constituency in the 2017 UK general election. Although the Green Party experienced a decrease in vote share in her constituency, Bennett remained an active member and advocate for the party's policies.

In September 2019, Bennett was nominated for a life peerage and became Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle in October 2019. She joined the House of Lords as the second Green Party member alongside Jenny Jones, Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb. Throughout her political career, Bennett has been known for her advocacy of feminist causes, environmental issues, and the Green Party's policies. She has also expressed support for a cultural and economic boycott of Israel, the abolition of the monarchy, and polyamorous relationships.