Today the Young Greens reached 17,700 members, making it the largest youth wing of any political party in the UK. The group has grown dramatically in the past six months, with its current membership greater than the membership of the entire Green Party a year ago.
The Green Party experienced a surge in membership earlier this year, overtaking both UKIP and the Liberal Democrats to become the third largest political party in England and Wales (1).
Clifford Fleming, Young Greens Co-Chair, said:
"This is a testament to the growing feeling among young people that it's time for something new in politics. We're sick of mainstream westminster politics, sick of being told that we must suffer for the mistakes of the bankers, and sick of being made to feel like we don't have a voice.
"Young people are drawn to the Green Party because we put young people at the heart of our policies - offering free university education, a living wage, and decent affordable housing. We offer real, radical solutions to the problems the UK is facing - and our solutions have struck a real chord with young people all over the country."
The Green Party is standing in over 90% of seats in the upcoming election. In many of its 12 targeted seats, the youth and student vote is significant enough to swing the vote - such as Bristol West, Norwich South and Brighton Pavilion.
The party has been polling at record levels among young people, overtaking the Conservatives to become the second most popular party with students (2).
The Young Greens will be releasing the Green Party's Youth Manifesto on Monday 20th April.
Notes:
1. http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/15/green-party-membership-surge-leaders-debates
2. http://www.youthsight.com/media-centre/announcements/the-green-party-is-now-the-second-choice-party-for-students/