Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, will say his party will be the most influential in 21st century politics as he addresses members at autumn conference.
Bartley will point to how Greens have set the agenda on issues from a Living Wage to refugees and climate change.
Bartley is expected to say:
“Where we lead, others follow. Our London Assembly members forced a Living Wage. Our MEPs stood up for refugees when others stood back. And in Parliament, we have consistently kept climate change on the agenda.
“And you know what. I believe we will be the most influential party in twenty first century politics.”
After the financial crash seven years ago Greens stood against the establishment consensus that austerity was necessary. In his speech Bartley will say anti-austerity is now mainstream.
He will also set out a vision for a new economy, with an ambitious plan to tackle air pollution, and calling out the damage a hard Brexit will inflict on Britain.
Bartley is expected to say:
“We warned that the system was unsustainable. And then there was the financial crisis. In 2010 we were told by the Tories, by Labour, by the Lib Dems - that austerity was the only answer. We said no. And we kept saying no. We joined UK uncut on the streets. We marched to Downing Street. We bravely dared to be different. And seven years later the agenda has changed.
“We have changed the minds of other parties on fracking and we are changing the debate about a universal basic income. Other parties might flirt with changing the economy. Or the welfare system. But we are the only Party that is honest about how much things need to change.
“We are the only party who will collectively design a future where we can all thrive – and have a larger life.”
Notes:
1. Green Party Autumn Conference runs from Saturday 7 October to Tuesday 10 October, 2017 at the Harrogate International Centre, Entrance 3, King's Rd, Harrogate HG1 5LA.