- Jonathan Bartley will make the comments at the party’s conference in Harrogate
- He will claim Greens have set the agenda on living wage and opposing austerity
- The party saw its vote share fall from its 2015 result in the last election
The co-leader of the Green Party is to tell members today that it will be the most influential party in 21st century politics – despite having only one MP.
In his speech at the party’s conference in Harrogate, Jonathan Bartley will say ‘where we lead, others follow’, claiming the Greens have set the agenda on issues such as the living wage and opposing austerity.
The party failed to add to its single MP in the general election and saw its vote share fall from the 2015 result.
Jonathan Bartley will say ‘where we lead, others follow’, claiming the Greens have set the agenda on issues such as the living wage and opposing austerity
But Mr Bartley will say: ‘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 21st century politics.’
Under Jeremy Corbyn, Labour has squeezed the space on the Left for the Greens, contributing to the party’s poor performance at the election.
But Mr Bartley, who leads the party alongside MP Caroline Lucas, will claim the Greens have shaped the debate on fracking and austerity – and suggest other parties only ‘flirt’ with changing the economy and the welfare system.