Her supporters say she is as a favourite of the left of the party and the Young Greens, and is close to departing party leader Caroline Lucas having served as campaign co-ordinator in her successful 2010 election bid.

Ms Phillips said: "The Greens have the opportunity now to displace the Lib Dems and become the third party in British politics, putting up a fight against the Conservative-led Government austerity agenda.

"I'm running for deputy leader to give members the tools and resources to make that ambition a reality.

"Even in Liverpool, where the Lib Dems have recently been in control of the council, John Coyne for the Greens came just 1% behind them in the mayoral election.

"Being from Liverpool means I grew up with a sense of solidarity with everyone in the community.

"My Scouse values haven't changed, but politics has. I'm a lifelong socialist, and like many people I joined the Green Party after being betrayed by Labour.

"The Greens are now the only party rejecting cuts, privatisation, authoritarianism and war. I want Greens to feel more confident about saying this to the media and to the public at large.

"My focus over the next two years will be to make sure we continue to reach ever greater audiences, to grow our membership, to improve our capability and to inspire more and more people to become active in our Party.

"This will enable us to get our message out and to stand and win in an ever-increasing number of elections."