ON MAY 7, many people across the South East had the chance to vote Green for the first time in a General Election.

With Greens standing in all but one of the region’s 84 seats, over a quarter of a million people voted Green – four times up on 2010.

The resounding affirmation of support in Brighton for Caroline Lucas – with the Green share of the vote up by 10.5% – shows how important it is to have a Green voice in Parliament.

She now has her work cut out speaking up against austerity, for a reformed Europe and promoting a tough approach on climate change.

On the doorstep voters understood the importance of keeping the Green voice on behalf of everyone – not just Brighton constituents.

Even though nationally over 1.1 million people voted Green Caroline Lucas remains the one Green MP.

A proportional representation system could have provided 24 Green MPs and voting reform has to be a priority for the Greens – and other minority parties..

In the local elections the Greens kept 11 seats in Brighton – despite vociferous opposition – confirming support for their track record on urban regeneration and increasing the supply of social housing.

Three Greens joined the district council in Lewes for the first time.

The Greens now have 75,000 UK members – more than the Lib Dems and UKIP – and support is still growing.

With a majority Tory government the alternative views the Greens promote will becoming increasingly important – one MP will have to make a big difference and Caroline Lucas is the person to take on that challenge.

Jonathan Essex is chairman of the South East Green Party