Greens call for votes at 16 in June election

Caroline Lucas, the co-leader of the Green Party, is calling for the Government to bring in legislation to allow 16 and 17-year-olds vote in the snap General Election. Dr Lucas, whose party will begin their campaign later today in Bristol, used an intervention in the House of Commons during yesterday's motion on a snap general election to urge the Prime Minister, Mrs May, to give young people a greater say in the future of the country. 

The Greens say that there are 1.5m young people who would be eligible to vote if 16 and 17-year-olds were given a vote on June 8. They also say that evidence from the Scottish independence referendum, substantiated by research from Austria and Norway, shows – aided by the encouragement of families and schools – 16 and 17-year-olds have higher rates of turnout than 18 to 24-year-olds.

Commenting Caroline Lucas said: "Everything is at stake right now. Our relationship with Europe, our border policies, our position on the world stage – voters will be given the chance to decide what kind of nation we want to be. The election is especially important for young people as they will live with the decisions made on June 8th for their entire lives.

"Theresa May should give Britain’s 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds – the first generation to have received citizenship education – a say in what will very much be their future. The Government should urgently change the law to expand the electorate – using the remaining parliamentary time to truly hand people control. After trebling tuition fees, cutting housing benefit for young people and slashing the educational maintenance allowance – surely the Government should give young people a chance to have a say on the policies that are affecting them.

"This should be a moment when we hand control to people and widen the scope of our democracy. Let’s trust young people with a vote in June – and let them have a real say about the future direction of their country." Dr Lucas added.

Greens open nominations for London 2016

Nominations to be the Green Party's next London Mayoral candidate opened today, with the party predicting a close-fought contest. After finishing third in the last Mayoral and London Assembly elections in 2012, membership of the London Green Party has surged and the party trebled its vote share in the recent general election.

With Greens expected to put in their strongest challenge to-date in next May's Mayoral elections, the opportunity to represent the Party will be highly competitive.

All members of the London Green Party will take part in its selection process and the final vote for the party's Mayoral candidate will be conducted via a ballot of its members using the Single Transferable Vote (STV), a proportional voting system.

The Green Party currently has two Assembly Members, Darren Johnson and Baroness Jenny Jones. Jenny Jones was the Green's Mayoral candidate in 2012 when she finished in third place behind Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone. So far Sian Berry, who stood for the Green party in 2008 Mayoral contest has announced her intention to challenge for the role, its also expected that party leader Natalie Bennett will also throw her hat into the ring

Caroline Allen, Co-Chair of the London Green Party, said: "The next 12 months promise to be an extremely exciting time for the London Green Party. The 2012 elections put us as the capital's third biggest party and with our membership rising every week, we are in a brilliant position to challenge for Mayor and increase our number of seats on the London Assembly. Over the coming weeks we're going to see a lot of excellent candidates come forwards for nomination.

Ms Allen continued: "But, what we want to do is ensure the competition to be our candidate for Mayor and the campaign that follows isn't all about us. Our priority will be about using our selections process as a chance to talk to Londoners, identify the issues affecting them and making sure these are front and centre of every debate during the election campaign. We want to show that the future of this great city doesn't have to be dominated by ludicrously expensive flats, choking air pollution, and rising wage inequality. With the opening of our nominations today, we're firing the starting gun on a process of completely reimagining the future of London."

The Green Party is expected to announce the winner of its selection process on Sunday 20th September. Full timetable as follows:

• Monday 1 June 2015: Call for Nominations, Appointment of panel assessors
• Monday 27 July 2015: Close of Nominations
• Monday 3 August 2015: End of 'Additional Nominations Week' - if required
• Saturday 24 August 2015: Issue of Ballot Papers
• Hustings - dates, time & locations to be announced by ERO by the end of July 2015
• Thursday 17 September 2015: Close of voting
• Saturday 19 September 2015: The Count
• Sunday 20 September 2015: The Result

Greens pledge to cut VAT on housing repairs

The Green Party has today pledged to cut VAT on housing repairs and renovations. Currently the VAT rate on repairs and renovations is 20% but, with the UK's housing stock in desperate need of improvements such as insulation, a coalition led by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has been calling for a reduction to 5%, the lowest level allowed by European rules.

The latest independent economic research from Experian shows that a reduction in VAT on housing renovation and repair from 20% to 5% could create 42,000 extra full-time equivalent construction jobs from 2015 to 2020 and more still, an additional 53,000 jobs in the wider economy over the same five-year period. Additionally, a cut in the VAT rate would incentivise the 'greening' of homes through insulation and other measures. The total cost of the VAT cut would be £6.6bn over the five years from 2015 but would result in an economic stimulus of £15bn in the wider economy.

Tom Chance, Green Party housing spokesperson, said: "This VAT cut would be a real boost for green jobs and warm homes. It comes at a time when we desperately need to be investing in a nationwide home insulation scheme, to cut bills and end the scandal of fuel poverty. This election presents Britain with a chance to vote for change. This VAT cut, just one of an array of bold policies from the Green Party, demonstrates our commitment to building a Britain of warm, comfortable homes."

The Greens' pledge to cut VAT comes after the FMB launched a campaign to 'Cut the VAT'. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: "A VAT reduction on housing renovation and repair work will empower home owners to contribute to growth, jobs and greener homes. There is no other proposal that will help the UK achieve so many of its economic, environmental and social aims with so little cost to the public purse.Independent research shows that the wider benefits of a VAT reduction on housing renovation and repair would stimulate more than £15bn of wider economic activity, which completely overshadows any direct losses to Treasury coffers due to a drop in the percentage charged for VAT. The Green Party is the latest political party to commit to a VAT reduction on housing renovation and repair and we are delighted they see the enormous value of this policy."

Greens move to a bigger Conference venue to accommodate 'Green surge'

The Green Party has moved its Spring conference to a bigger venue following a huge and ongoing surge in membership. The party has doubled to more than 50,000 members in less than three months, and is polling at its highest numbers ahead of a General Election since 1989.

Conference organisers have taken the decision to move from St George’s Hall in Liverpool, where the party congregated last Spring, to the larger ACC venue to accommodate new members.

Key speeches at the event, which will be held between the 6th and 9th of March, will now take place at ACC Liverpool's 1,350 person capacity auditorium. The modern venue, which is committed to accessibility, sustainability and the local community, has 18 multi-sized meeting rooms. Key speakers over the weekend will include Green Party leader Natalie Bennett and Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion.

Cllr John Coyne, leader of the Greens in Liverpool, said: “This is the fourth time we’ve brought Conference to Liverpool since I’ve been a Green councillor and the change in venue reflects our huge local and national growth.” 

High demand has also led the ‘early bird’ booking deadline to be extended until Friday, 13th February.

Green Party announces new slate of spokespeople

The Green Party has announced its full slate of spokespeople ahead of the May 2015 General Election. Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, remains as the Green Party’s spokesperson on economics, one of the key battlegrounds for the election campaign. The party say that Ms Lucas and the Green Party are committed to providing a positive alternative to austerity economics and taking bold steps to redistribute wealth and create an economy that supports the needs and aspirations of all, not just the 1%.

A number of candidates in target constituencies, where the Green Party are hotly tipped, will operate as spokespeople. Darren Hall, PPC for Bristol West, moves into Home Affairs. Lesley Grahame (Norwich South) is the Greens’ new Peace and Disarmament spokesperson. Rupert Read (Cambridge) remains as Transport spokesperson. Jillian Creasy (Sheffield Central) will speak on Health (including social care), Martin Dobson (Liverpool Riverside) on Culture, Media and Sport and Howard Allen (Solihull) on Business, Innovation and Skills.

Leader Natalie Bennett and Deputy Leaders Dr Shahrar Ali and Amelia Womack will continue to operate as spokespeople across issues. All the Party’s MEPs continue to act as spokespeople – Jean Lambert (Immigration), Keith Taylor (Environment and Climate Change), and Molly Scott Cato (Finance).

Commenting Natalie Bennett said: "I'm delighted to see such a strong, experienced team of spokespeople that reflects the overall growing strength of the Green Party and the quality of our team of candidates for the General Election. In the coming months I'm confident the public will have the chance to hear increasingly from a wide range of these voices - and will like what they hear in our message of a peaceful revolution that sees society working for the common good within the environmental limits of our one planet."

Other spokespeople retaining their roles are: 

• Pippa Bartolotti (Wales), 
• Jonathan Bartley (Work and Pensions), 
• Jason Kitcat (Local Government), 
• Caroline Russell (Local Transport), 
• Andrew Cooper (Energy), 
• Tony Clarke (Foreign Affairs), 
• Caroline Allen (Animals) 
• James Abbott (Science & Technology).

The new slate, which features a 50/50 gender split, includes other new spokespeople:

• Charley Pattison (Justice) 
• Mags Lewis (Disability) 
• Dave Cocozza (Further & Higher Education) 
• Laura Bannister (International Development) 
• Benali Hamdache (Equalities) 
• Samantha Pancheri (Schools)
• Tom Chance (Housing)

The Green Party is polling at its highest levels ahead of a General Election since 1989, a breakthrough year. The Green Party is standing candidates in at least 75% of seats in May 2015. That means 50% more people will be able to vote Green in 2015 than were able to do so five years ago. And the party's membership has tonight overtaken the Liberal Democrats level membership.

Greens majorly popular with 18-24 year-olds

The Green Party is polling on 22% and tied with the Conservatives for second place amongst 18-24 year-olds in the latest YouGov polling. The polling released today further calls into question Ofcom’s initial view that the Green Party is not a ‘major party’. YouGov’s research puts the Greens comfortably ahead of both the Liberal Democrats and Ukip.

The Prime Minister David Cameron and political commentators from across the political spectrum have called for the Greens to be included in the broadcasters’ proposed Leaders’ Debates.

Natalie Bennett, Green Party Leader, said: "Polling such as this from YouGov clearly demonstrates the strength of the ‘Green surge’. The broadcasters and the regulator need to recognise that the politics of the future does not have to look like the politics of the past. Denying the Green Party ‘major party’ status or an invitation to the Leaders’ Debates fails both our democracy and the electorate. Attempting to exclude the Green voice from the mainstream of British politics looks more and more ridiculous by the day."

The Green Party is polling at its highest levels ahead of a General Election since 1989, a breakthrough year. Membership of the Green Party of England and Wales skyrocketed by 123% in 2014 and continues to surge in 2015. The current number of members stands at 32,515. Membership of the Scottish Greens, a sister party, more than quadrupled in 2014 and stands at almost 8,000 meaning the combined parties have a membership of over 40,000.

The Green Party is standing candidates in at least 75% of seats in May 2015. That means 50% more people will be able to vote Green in 2015 than were able to do so five years ago.

79% of public want to see the Green Party represented at the ITV Leaders Debate

Four in five members’ of the public want to see the Green Party represented at next year’s Leaders Debates. A whopping 79% of people surveyed in an poll by ICM said they would welcome seeing a Green Party representative at the ITV Leaders Debate in 2015. In the interests of fairness the question was independently verified by ICM to make sure there was no bias and also shown to ITV before polling. ITV were invited to partake in the framing of the question put by ICM but declined.

Over ¾ of the people polled responded favourablywhen asked the question :

"You may have seen or heard that ITV has announced proposals for a televised Leader's Debate in the run up to the 2015 General Election which is likely to be held in May next year. ITV currently propose to invite the leaders of the Conservative Party, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and UKIP to participate, but not the leader of the Green Party. Do you think that the leader of the Green Party should or should not also be invited to join in the ITV Leaders debate?"

Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett said: "It is clear from votes and polls that the public are fed up with the three business-as-usual parties and are looking around for alternatives. The public want a serious debate in which they hear the full range of views. They are well aware that austerity has failed even in its own terms while it has made the poor, the disabled, disadvantaged and the young pay for the fraud, corruption and mismanagement of the bankers."

"The Green Party offers a positive alternative to the Westminster “business as usual” approach to politics by the three main parties. Our policies on bringing the rail network and NHS back into public ownership resonate with the public understanding that the privatisation of public services by successive Tory and Labour governments is an expensive and damaging failure." Ms Bennent added.

The ‘Green surge’ has seen the Party, which was founded in 1973, more than double its UK membership since the beginning of the year which currently stands at just over 38000 (England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland).

* ICM Unlimited interviewed a random sample of 1001 adults aged 18+ by telephone on 12-16th December 2014. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

Green surge has 'blown the doors off British politics'

With the latest YouGov poll for potential voting in 2015 putting the Green Party ahead of UKIP on 26%, Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett has said that the future of politics lies truly in the hands of the UK electorate as never before.

"More and more people are considering voting Green next Spring. As more people get the opportunity to hear about Green policies and values, they are liking what they hear and deciding to vote for real change. The chance to create a peaceful revolution in British politics is in voters’ hands, and they looks increasingly ready to seize that opportunity."

The Green Party are currently polling with their highest figures ahead of a General Election since 1989 and polling experts say this has paved the way for the 2015 General Election to be a five-horse race.

Ms Bennett continued: "The UK electorate’s dissatisfaction with traditional two and a half party politics is clear for all to see. Tactical voting hasn’t delivered a society that works for the common good, and voters know if they vote Green there is a real chance for an alternative to Westminster’s failed politics."

The Green Party argues that 'draconian austerity measures from the Coalition' Government has left millions of households on or over the edge of disaster. Unhappiness with the 'savage cuts to welfare', a widening gap between the richest in society and the rest of us, rising energy bills and a lack of Government commitment in a carbon-neutral future has seen a surge in support for the Green Party.

Natalie Bennett concluded: "Now is the time for voters to be bold. If you believe in a fairer society, a society where every worker earns a living wage, a society creating jobs that you can build a life on, then vote Green."

Greens poll on highest ever percentage with YouGov

A YouGov survey for the Sun puts the Green Party on 8%, the highest ever result for the party with the leading pollster. The Green Party’s average polling score with YouGov has risen by three percentage points in the last six months.

The latest poll marks the second time in recent weeks that YouGov has put the Greens ahead of the Liberal Democrats (7% in latest poll). The Greens have also out-polled the junior Coalition partners in a recent Ashcroft National Poll.

The Green Party, the only party offering a genuine alternative to business-as-usual Westminster politics, has challenged the broadcasters’ proposals to exclude the Greens from the planned televised Leaders’ Debates ahead of the 2015 General Election. Almost 270,000 people have signed a Change.org petition calling for the Greens to be included.

Some leading political commentators have suggested that polling which puts the Greens ahead of the Lib Dems puts pressure on the broadcasters to invite the Greens in the interest of both democracy and fairness. “It (the polling) will spark fresh calls from the Greens to be included in pre-election TV debates - after broadcasters revealed plans to exclude them”, suggested the Sun today.

The polling surge is mirrored by the Green Party of England and Wales’ rapid membership growth in 2014. GPEW Membership stands at 25,799 and is up a striking 87% since January 1 2014. On May 22 2014, the Greens comfortably outperformed the Lib Dems in the European parliament elections both in terms of total vote and MEPs returned

Report reveals we are not ‘all in it together’

A wide-ranging report by economists on how Coalition economic policies have helped the rich by hitting the poor and rubbishes Chancellor George Osborne’s claims that we are “all in it together” says the Green Party who are committed to radically rebalancing the economy so that it works for the common good and creates a fairer and more sustainable society.

The report released this morning (17th November) reveals how money has been transferred from the poorest to the better off under the Coalition. Green Party policies such as a wealth tax on the top 1%, a £10 minimum wage, a Living Wage for all and maximum pay ratios tackle inequality head on.

Under Osborne, those with the lowest incomes have been hit hardest say the economists from the London School of Economics and the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex.

Natalie Bennett, Green Party Leader, said: "This report once again goes to prove that Osborne’s ideologically-driven austerity economics are simply not working. Osbornomics is intent on dividing up the pie so that the wealthiest are given the biggest slices. This is hardly the way towards a fairer and more equal society. The Green Party says this agenda has to come to an end."

"Instead of victimizing those who are most in need through pernicious welfare reforms, we need to slash the size of the financial sector and see that it serves the needs of a boosted real economy that manufactures the goods and grows the food that we need, providing jobs that workers can live on, and homes they can afford. That would also reduce our exposure to the international economic, political and military turbulence." Ms Bennett added.

'Invite the Greens' petition handed in at the BBC

Young Greens outside New Broadcasting House this morning
Image courtesy of the Green party

The hugely popular ‘Invite The Greens’ Change.org petition has today been handed in to the BBC by Young Green activist and student Robyn Meadwell, who started the petition, and Amelia Womack, Green Party Deputy Leader.

Over 260,000 people have signed the petition calling for the broadcasters to include the Green Party in the TV Leaders' Debates ahead of the 2015 General Election. The petition is one of the top ten most signed petitions The huge popularity of the petition chimes with polling released by YouGov, which reveals that if the debates do go ahead as proposed, the debate that includes UKIP Leader Nigel Farage (ITV) should also include Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett. 47% are in favour of including the Green Party.

Robyn Meadwell and Amelia Womack were joined by Green activists and supporters of the petition from across the political spectrum. The ‘Green surge’ has seen the Green Party of England and Wales climb steadily in the polls in 2014 and membership pass 25,000 for the first time.

The Green Party welcomes the BBC Trust’s recent decision to consult on its draft election guidelines. Earlier this week, Green Party parliamentarians Caroline Lucas MP and Baroness Jenny Jones, signed a cross-bench letter to the BBC Trust which said "we believe that the (British Broadcasting) Corporation’s public service remit makes a clear case for wider representation (in the Leaders’ Debates) than is currently envisaged."

Amelia Womack, who is 29, said: "The broadcasters’ TV leaders’ debates proposals fly in the face of both fairness and democracy - that’s why there has been such a sustained public outcry. It’s not just Green supporters who believe the Greens should be invited; politicians and political commentators from across the political divide have called on the broadcasters to rethink their proposals. Excluding the Green Party – which out-performed the Liberal Democrats comfortably in the May 22 2014 European Elections and is polling at its highest numbers ahead of a General Election since 1989 – utterly fails the electorate and democracy."

"I have been overwhelmed by the support and signatories to the petition I started last month”, said Meadwell ahead of the hand-in. With the traditional Westminster parties all singing from the same hymn sheet, the public has a right to hear an alternative view. Blocking out the voice of the Green Party in these debates will simply guarantee a continuation of business-as-usual politics and do a disservice to the voting public who deserve to hear what each of the parties has to offer them." Ms Womack added.

The meteoric rise of the Young Greens has been one of the most startling features of the 2014 ‘Green surge’, which has seen total membership of the Green Party of England and Wales rise by 83% since January 1st 2014. The Young Greens have seen a 165% rise in membership, going from 1,700 members to 4,500 in under a year.

Greens condemn three pronged Coalition attack on the sick and disabled

The Green Party has reacted strongly to new developments affecting sick and disabled people which it says amount to a three pronged attack that will drive thousands into greater hardship and poverty:

1. Internal government documents seen by the BBC suggest that the government is considering cutting Employment and Support Allowance by almost £30 per week.

2. It has emerged that thousands of people with degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis are having their benefits slashed because the Department for Work and Pensions believes that they will recover enough to work.

3 Another controversial American company Maximus is taking over the contract to assess the fitness of benefits claimants to work, the BBC understands, replacing French firm Atos, who quit the contract in March.

The Green Party’s Work and Pensions spokesperson Jonathan Bartley said: “The Government is turning the screw even more tightly on the sick and disabled. Cutting benefits for sick and disabled people, who have already been disproportionately targeted and are already more likely to be living in poverty, is completely unacceptable.  The Work Capability Assessment has proved a very expensive disaster in both financial and human terms. It must be abolished and replaced with a system that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of sick and disabled people. Those who cannot work must receive the support they need.

“It is unnecessary to pay hundreds of millions of pounds to private companies like Atos and Maximus, when sick and disabled people, and their own NHS doctors, can tell us what they need. Public services should be run for the common good, not private profit. Maximus has already been embroiled in controversy and should not be involved in crucial decisions as to what support will be offered to sick and disabled people in the UK.”

Greens call for Living Wage to be mandatory

Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett has today repeated Green Party calls for the Living Wage to become mandatory in response to the release this morning of the new Living Wage Foundation figures.

Commenting Natalie Bennett said: "The latest update from the Living Wage Foundation could not have come at a more significant time. Workers are currently experiencing the most sustained and painful squeeze on their wages since the 1860s. The target set by the Foundation has once again highlighted the growing divide between the wages employees are taking home every month and the amount they need to live, pay the bills and provide for their families.

"That's why it is so disappointing that the Coalition and Labour opposition have refused to make the commitments necessary to improve worker pay and bring it in line with inflation. Their plans offer nothing except a continuation of our current inadequate wage levels.

"The Green Party would not allow this situation to persist. We are calling for the minimum wage to be made a Living Wage today, and for a target to be set of a £10/hour minimum wage, outside of London, by 2020. We are serious about taking the steps necessary to reduce inequality, tackle low pay, and create an economy that supports everyone."

Research undertaken by the London Green Party has revealed that nine in ten big businesses (employing 250+ people) in London are not signed up to the London Living Wage scheme, eight years after the policy was launched by the previous Mayor of London.

London Assembly Member Baroness Jenny Jones said: “It’s horrible to think that nine in ten big businesses are holding out and paying poverty wages, while many pay their top executives multi-million pound bonuses. The Living Wage campaigners have been brilliant at getting some employers to voluntarily sign up. But we can’t leave more than half a million Londoners on grotesquely low wages, so we need the London Living wage to become mandatory.”

Natalie Bennett welcomes report of BBC public consultation on election debate guidelines

Green Party leader Natalie Bennett has welcomed reports emerging tonight that the BBC Trust plans to hold a public consultation on the 2015 general election leader debates The Press Association has reported: “the BBC Trust will be launching a public consultation on the ‘relevant guidelines’ next week”.

Natalie Bennett said: "Whilst this is only an early report, it is encouraging that the BBC Trust, the ‘guardian of public interest’ in the organisation, has recognised the level of public disquiet about the initial plans announced by the BBC and other broadcasters. I hope that this consultation will be broad-ranging, well-publicised, and will have a significant impact on the Corporation’s plans."

The current proposals allow for three debates with one with Tory, Labour, Lib Dem and UKIP, then the first three parties, then the first two parties. The Green Party is excluded from them. More than 198,000. people have signed a petition demanding the Green Party be allowed to participate.

Ms Bennett added: “With the current plans the BBC is acting as a dangerous brake on democratic change, failing to grasp that the future of politics doesn't look like the past. This attitude is contributing to the build up of frustration and disillusionment with politics in the UK. I’m delighted that the BBC Trust has recognised there is a problem. The BBC should be at the forefront of quality, accessible, varied political debate in the UK, and I hope that after the consultation it will be moving in that direction.” 

Greens embrace crowdfunding for election candidates

The Green Party is working with Crowdfunder which will allow Green Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) to raise their deposit faster than ever before. After a successful Crowdfunder campaign in Plymouth where the £500 fee to stand as an MP was raised in just three days, the Greens are breaking new ground as they appeal directly to their supporters via Crowdfunder to raise funds and awareness alongside harnessing online support.

The Green Party has pledged to stand in at least 75% constituencies in 2015. This will allow 50% more people to vote Green at the coming General Election than were able to in 2010. Ahead of the election, the Greens are polling at their highest levels since 1989. Leading pollsters YouGov and Michael Ashcroft have both recently released polls showing the Greens ahead of the Liberal Democrats for the first time in a decade. The party is also ahead of the Liberal Democrats in Rochester and Strood by-election according to the latest Survation poll.

Tom Beckett, Fundraising and Operations Director for the Green party, commented: "The Green surge in membership and polling demonstrates that more and more people are interested in Green values and policies and are prepared to vote Green at the 2015 General Election. Working with Crowdfunder allows the Green Party, which, unlike other parties, does not receive large corporate donations, to raise the money necessary to stand more candidates than ever before and potentially boost our representation in Parliament next year."

Five Green Party MP campaigns are potentially going live on Crowdfunder.co.uk over the next few weeks. Phil Geraghty, MD of Crowdfunder, said: “It’s great to see the Green Party using Crowdfunder to engage their supporters to raise funds online. We think crowdfunding has a crucial role to play in the future of political funding."

Greens fourth in latest YouGov polling

The Green Party has moved ahead of the Liberal Democrats in the latest YouGov polling for the Sun. In the latest poll, released late last night, the Greens are in fourth and up two percentage points to 7%.

The poll comes hot on the heels of an Ashcroft National Poll (ANP) last week, which also put the Greens in fourth and ahead of the junior Coalition partners. The ANP poll marked the first time in a decade that the Greens have out-performed the Lib Dems in a poll ahead of a General Election.

The Green Party’s average polling score with pollsters YouGov has risen by three percentage points in the last six months. On May 22 2014, the Greens comfortably outperformed the Lib Dems in the European parliament elections both in terms of total vote and MEPs returned.

The Green Party, the only party offering a genuine alternative to business-as-usual Westminster politics, has challenge the broadcasters’ proposals to exclude the Greens from the planned televised Leaders’ Debates ahead of the 2015 General Election. Almost 200,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the Greens to be invited.

Leading political commentators have suggested that polling which puts the Greens ahead of the Lib Dems puts pressure on the broadcasters to invite the Greens in the interest of both democracy and fairness. The polling surge is mirrored by the Green Party of England and Wales’ rapid membership growth in 2014.

Here's is how some of the key political commentators on Twitter reacted:

Patrick Wintour of the Telegraph "On day BBC tell Greens they cannot join TV debates due to lack of increase in support, YouGov put Greens ahead of Lib Dems for first time."

Owen Jones of the Guardian "Greens will be rightly chirpy about driving the Lib Dems into fifth place in the latest YouGov. Labour back to 3 point lead. Not good enough"

Tom Newton-Dunn from the Sun "YouGov/Sun poll tonight: Greens push Libs into 5th for 1st time with @YouGov - LAB 34%, CON 31%, UKIP 17%, GRN 7%, LD 6%. Yet no TV debate?"

George Eaton from the New Statesman: "Tonight's @YouGov poll has the Greens ahead of the Lib Dems for the first time (7%-6%)."

Sunny Hundal from Liberal Conspiracy "YouGov poll shows Greens pushing LDs into 5th place for first time LAB 34% CON 31% UKIP 17% GRN 7% LD 6% They should be in TV debates."

Jon Stone, formerly of Politics Home "YouGov becomes the second pollster to show the Green Party ahead of the Liberal Democrats - 7% vs 6% http://bit.ly/1tiiJXm"

Parliament to hold first drugs debate for a generation

The UK’s drug laws will be debated in Parliament this week, for the first time in a generation. Earlier this year Caroline Lucas MP secured over 130,000 signatures on a petition calling for MPs to support an impact assessment and cost benefit analysis of the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act. She successfully secured the debate with cross-party backing. The three-hour Commons debate will take place on Thursday following a morning briefing.

UK drug laws are over 40 years old. In that time, there has been no Government assessment of whether they are effective or value for money. The debate is not about being for or against current drugs policy or drugs policy reform. It about supporting an evidence-based position: our drugs laws should reflect the latest evidence about how best to tackle drugs misuse and any associated social problems – but that’s currently not the case. The debate will support a Motion calling on the Government to conduct an independent cost-benefit analysis and impact assessment of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - the first of its kind. A copy of the Motion can be found here.

67% of the UK public support a review of drugs policy options. A 2012 UK Drugs Policy Commission study found that 77% of current MPs disagreed with the statement that current policies were effective in tackling the problems caused by illegal drugs. In the same study, 76% of current MPs agreed the process of making policy about illegal drugs should make more use of evidence and research than it currently does.

Caroline Lucas MP said: “We all want a drugs policy that works. We want policies that reduce drug-related deaths and protect our children. Policies that rid our communities of the harms associated with drugs misuse and which ensure individuals get the help and support they need. But if we’re to have a drugs policy that does all of these things, then it has to be based on evidence. This debate is not about being for or against drugs reform. It’s about making sure we have the best possible laws based on the best possible evidence. It is the responsibility of every MP to be there to represent their constituents.”

The debate has received strong cross-bench backing, as well as strong public support. In a video released last week, Richard Branson and Anne-Marie Cockburn called on constituents around the country to ask their MPs to attend the debate. Anne Marie’s daughter Martha was 15 when, out with friends one Saturday morning, she took ½ gram of ecstasy powder and died from an accidental overdose. Thursday’s debate marks what would have been Martha’s 17th birthday. Anne-Marie said: “I have spent many hours painstakingly deliberating about drug policy since my precious girl died. As policy remains unchanged I wake up every day with a fear that there will be another Martha. I want to appeal to you both directly and personally. The blight of drugs on our society is creeping inwards and many families are now directly affected.

"Whatever your views on this issue, I am sure that we can all agree that drug policy should be based on evidence of what works, and the only way to do that is to explore all the policy options. I understand that the drugs issue is a difficult one for MPs, but it is your job to ensure that our laws protect the most vulnerable. One death is one too many, so please attend the debate and please support a review.”

She also appealed to constituents to contact their MP regarding the debate. Niamh Eastwood, Executive Director of Release, said: “It is shocking to think that in over 40 years UK drugs legislation has never been subject to proper scrutiny; we have never examined the efficacy of a criminal justice approach, or even considered alternatives. This debate is a much needed step towards this goal and we hope that parliamentarians will support the call for an impact assessment, and recognise that our drugs laws must be evidence-based. Over 67% of the public think it is time for a review of our drug policy. It is high time politicians reflect the views of the electorate.”

Danny Kushlick, Head of External Affairs, and Martin Powell Acting Chief Executive of Transform Drug Policy Foundation, said: “Successive governments have fought tooth and nail to keep evidence about their drug policies from the public, suppressing report after report. Why? Because when UK drug policy is independently scrutinised the findings are invariably damning. It is surely not too much to ask that MPs – whose job it is to scrutinise issues like this – now back a thorough impact assessment of current policy, so our response to drugs can be based on evidence of what actually works, and will best keep the young and vulnerable safe.”

Mike Barton, Chief Constable, Durham Constabulary has said: “As a police officer for nearly 34 years, I have witnessed the worsening problems of drug addiction – whether it's to controlled substances or legal drugs, such as alcohol. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 has prevailed throughout my time of service, but it would appear not to have had the impact that optimistic legislators planned.”

Greens reject Foreign Office position on Mediterranean search and rescue

Responding to the Foreign Office’s refusal to take part in future search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London said today in an extended statement:

“Once again, Theresa May is basing her migration policy decisions on assumptions, not evidence. Many of those risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean come from Syria and Eritrea - countries that the UK recognises as having many people in need of protection. Desperate people are taking riskier routes, attempting treacherous sea routes because land borders are increasingly restrictive. Trying to deter people from travelling just doesn’t work when people's lives are at risk in their country-of-origin.

“We know that not everyone travelling in leaky, dangerously overcrowded boats claims asylum, but whether they do or don’t we should not turn our backs on people who see the EU as capable of offering hope and safety.

“Many of us have been working for years to try to develop a greater practical demonstration of solidarity among national governments in the EU to deal with effective rescue-at-sea and follow-up on land. We have argued for ways in which people seeking asylum can get access to the territory of the EU to lodge their claims, without risking their lives and for countries to offer more resettlement possibilities for recognised refugees. The fact is, conveniently ignored by this Government, that the UK has resettled less than 100 Syrian refugees. Countries such as Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey are sheltering millions of displaced people and the UK Government is providing financial aid.”

Lambert concluded: “It is a crying shame that the apparent compassion of that British support ends at the seashore outside the EU and that the UK makes no life-raft available.”

HS3 is "unbelievably costly fantasy" say the Greens

Carbon-intensive rail project HS3, like HS2, is an “unbelievably costly fantasy”, says Rupert Read, The Green Party of England and Wales’ transport spokesperson.

Rupert Read, Green PPC for Cambridge, said: "The proposal for an ‘HS3’ to cross the Pennines is a tacit admission that the entire concept of HS2 is a disastrous mistake. It's an acknowledgement that instead of building routes into London that only the rich can afford, we should be looking to increase capacity and provide better connections between our northern towns and cities. But the unbelievably costly fantasy that is the HS3 proposal is not the way to do it."

“By re-opening old lines - such as that between Skipton and Colne, and the ‘Woodhead’ route between Sheffield and Manchester - we could produce a major capacity increase, adding TWO trans-Pennine routes to the status quo ... at less than 10% of the cost of the proposed carbon-intensive HS3."

Read’s comments come on the heels of YouGov polling which reports that only 9% of respondents believe that HS2 should be a priority for government expenditure. Greens support the Campaign for Better Transport ‘Better Not Bigger’ report, which advocates for a green retrofit of roads. Cllr Caroline Russell, Green Party Local Transport spokesperson, backs the report which can help deliver a vision for a greener, better transport system:

"We know that the over-reliance of our transport system on the private car leads to congestion, road danger and pollution blighting towns cities and villages across the country. The Campaign for Better Transport report on transport devolution shows there is another way and that car dependence is not inevitable.

“The report outlines a vision of integrated public transport, backed by smart ticketing, like London's Oyster cards, delivered by new Transport Consortia joining different councils and the creation of regional groupings to manage strategic roads and local rail and offers hope to regions beyond the M25.

“Following the move by North East Council Leaders last week towards re-regulation of bus services in Tyne and Wear, the report shows just what re-regulation of the buses could deliver with the convenience and improved service that comes with smart ticketing and an integrated public transport system across an area.

“If authorities pick up on this report we could see public transport provide a real alternative to private car use, supporting trips on foot and by bike with a user-friendly public transport network that is reliable, affordable and accessible."

12% of people who voted Lib Dem in 2010 intend to vote Green in 2015

The Green Party are polling on 6% in the the Independent’s latest "poll of polls", which reveals that 12% of people who voted Lib Dem in 2010 intend to vote Green in May 2015. The Green Party has been polling at some of their highest numbers ahead of a General Election since 1989, a breakthrough year.

The Green party have been closing the small polling gap on the Lib Dems (9%) in recent months. The Greens also outperformed the Coalition partners in the May 22nd European Elections both in terms of MEPs returned and percentage of the total vote.

Natalie Bennett, Green Party Leader, said: "As pollsters and commentators are increasingly recognising, next year's election will be a genuine five-party race. As the three business-as-usual parties demonstrate they cannot move on from the failed policies of the past 30 years it is not surprising that support for the Green Party is swelling."

Continuing Ms Bennett commented: "We're offering the idea of real change with a society that works very differently, whereas I don't think we're going to see transformative change from the Lib Dems. We offer a transformation of our economy so that it works for the common good, not for the good of the few."

Concluding Natalie Bennett said: "The Green Party's support for decent wages and benefits for all who need them, demand that multinational companies and the rich pay their way, and understanding of the need to live within ecological limits offer the positive way forward."

The latest polling follows hot on the heels of the news that membership of the Green Party of England and Wales has passed 20,000 for the first time. Membership is up 45% in 2014 alone. Green candidates will be standing in at least 75% of constituencies in 2015 – giving 50% more people the opportunity to vote green next year. The newspaper’s poll of polls is compiled by John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University.