Increasing member numbers and influence
I have been going to conference for many years. This year was different. Much larger for a start, but also more focused on achievements and our councillor power base at the heart of our increasing success and credibility.
This year, we have more than 1,300 councillors and our own group at the LGA. This year, we have Greens leading or jointly leading at least 38 councils.
This year, many more organisations, like the New Economics Foundation, the Institute for Government and Demos, not only attended but hosted events and panels.
This year, we welcomed more members and organisations than ever before.
This year, we have shown ourselves to be a serious force in British politics and our success at council level lies at the heart of our growth.
Councillors and council leaders shared inspiring examples of what Green leadership is delivering for residents.
Whether leading administrations or in opposition, Green councillors spoke about improving local services, protecting and restoring nature, supporting healthier, more inclusive communities and looking at the reality of the climate crisis – which is already with us, not in some distant future – and taking real action in response.
Our councillor body featured across the weekend, including a packed auditorium for an event I was incredibly proud to host celebrating the depth and breadth of achievements of Greens in local government.
One of the most encouraging signs for the future was the turnout for the Green Party’s Be a Councillor session. The room was packed with members eager to serve their communities and make real change.
From those with decades of experience to those elected for the first time this year, our Green councillors – reflecting the wonderful diversity of our membership – are inspiring others to step forward.
As ever, our conference explored the crucial issues that are shockingly absent from the main parties’ thinking.
I joined a panel discussing food systems and the Nature Rights Bill tabled in the Lords by Baroness Natalie Bennett, exploring structural change support, nature recovery and environmental stewardship; and chaired ‘Power to places: a Green vision for the next phase of devolution’, focused on strengthening local decision-making and ‘real’ devolution to neighbourhood level, empowering communities.
Conference heard major announcements from the party’s leadership on three of the most pressing issues facing our communities: a youth jobs guarantee, public ownership of water companies, and a brake on rent increases.
While some debates attracted more public attention than others, the overwhelming experience for those who were there or participating online was members working together in accordance with Green values to strengthen policy and share expertise.
I understand that some of these discussions may have been difficult or concerning for some. Along with our Green leadership and MPs, I want to personally reassure everyone that our commitment to tackling all forms of racism, discrimination and harassment remains unchanged.
Our growing membership, representation and success matters, because it gives more communities the chance to benefit from Green leadership. The work continues, and I cannot wait to see what our councillors and campaigners achieve next.
- Find out more about the work of the LGA’s Green Group.