Congratulations to the Green Party for hitting the history books as party leader Caroline Lucas won the Brighton Pavilion seat. Overshadowed somewhat by the current speculation over the uncertainty of the current hung parliament- this is the news that caught my eye.
It was a tight finish in Brighton and the Greens beat Labour by just over 1,250 votes. Conservatives were less than 3,000 votes further back. Lucas said: “Thank you so much for putting the politics of hope above the politics of fear.” It is rather interesting that Caroline Lucas has stated the Green Party would possibly lean towards the “left of centre” in the event of a hung parliament. This will be interesting and if Conservatives end up in government- I hope Lucas makes sure that they achieve the environmental aims in their manifesto.
Some of the Green policies are rather controversial (cutting speed limits, taxing the rich and decriminalising cannabis to name a few). Lucas is paving the way for the Greens and she is clearly passionate about politics: “ Green principles and policies will now have a voice in Parliament. Policies such as responding to climate change with a million new ‘green’ jobs in low-carbon industries, fair pensions and care for older people, and stronger regulation of the banks will be heard in the House of Commons”.
I will be watching the journey of Caroline Lucas with interest, and hope that her appointment will get the Conservative and Labour parties to pay more attention to their environmental policies!