Caroline Lucas has been Green Party MEP for South-East England since 1999 and is leader of the party. She was previously a Green councillor in Oxford and has also been the party's principal speaker. Lucas is a widely respected expert on trade issues, having worked for Oxfam, and has won several awards, including being twice voted Observer Ethical Awards Politician of the Year. Her areas of particular expertise include green economics, trade justice, local food, climate change and peace. She was selected as Brighton Pavilion's parliamentary candidate in 2007 and is active in numerous local campaigns, such as calling for a 20mph speed limit on local roads, a new secondary school and more affordable housing. She is married with two sons.