The Green Party

The Green Party is a left-wing party in British politics. Greens believe in ecological sustainability, a fairer more stable economy and a more equal society. The Green party is considered to be uniquely democratic – with policy being developed and passed by the membership – not the leadership.

A brief history

The Green Party was founded in the 1970s as a response to growing ecological awareness with a focus on social justice. In the 1980s the party devolved into The Green Party of England & Wales, The Scottish Green Party and The Green Party in Northern Ireland.

The First Past the Post electoral system (which rewards the bigger parties with an exaggerated share of the MPs at the expense of smaller parties) has meant that Green representation in parliament has not reflected its share of the vote in general elections. Once Proportional Representation was adopted for European elections and for the London Assembly, Greens began to return members to both of those chambers. 

The election of Caroline Lucas to party leader in 2008 coincided with the global financial crisis and a greater desire among the British public to find alternatives to unregulated capitalism. Since then, as Labour has stayed towards the centre of politics, the Greens have advocated for policies on the Left.

In 2010 Caroline Lucas was elected to Westminster as the first Green MP and in 2012 Nathalie Bennet took over as leader of the party. Green party membership more than doubled in 2014 as trust in established parties came under threat.

The 2015 General Election saw the Green Party receive it's highest ever number of votes as one of the main opposers of austerity measures. Despite, however, receiving 3.8% of the overall vote, the Green Party was unable to build on its presence in parliament, with Caroline Lucas remaining as the only Green Party MP.

In 2016, the Green Party had another leadership contest, selecting Co-Leaders Caroline Lucas MP and Jonathan Bartley, who previously set up Christian think-tank Ekklesia, which exists to "bring theological ideas to the public square" particularly on issues relating to social justice and the environment.

In 2018 Sian Berry joined Jonathan Bartley as co-leader. The party has seen a surge in support locally, increasing their local council seats from 178 to 372 and securing 7 MEP seats, up from 3. They still retain their one and only seat in the House of Commons held by Caroline Lucas in the constituency of Brighton Pavilion.

Visit the Green Party website: www.greenparty.org.uk