Caroline Lucas gets standing ovation at Green conference

Delegates from across the country stood, cheered and applauded Ms Lucas at the conference, being held at the Brighton Centre.

During a speech by co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay, the party said it was “fitting to be in Brighton… to say the hugest of thank yous to the formidable Caroline Lucas”.

Ms Denyer described Ms Lucas as a “force of nature” and said: “Caroline’s impact on politics in this country cannot be overstated.

“She has been an extraordinary servant of the people of Brighton Pavilion, as well as the Green Party.

“Securing significant policy changes, shaping the conversation and showing a different way of doing things, Caroline has demonstrated how essential it is to have a Green voice in Westminster.”

Ms Denyer said Ms Lucas has been an “inspiration” to many and “her contribution to national life is something to behold”.

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The tributes came after Ms Lucas announced earlier this year that she will not stand for re-election for her Westminster seat when voters next go the polls.

Sian Berry, who has been selected as the party’s next candidate for Brighton Pavilion at the next election, also thanked Caroline Lucas for her “giant achievement” in winning the party’s first and so far only seat in Parliament in 2010.

She also praised other “local giants” in Brighton, including the late Keith Taylor, Councillor Pete West and former councillors Phelim Mac Cafferty and Hannah Allbrooke, for their work over the years.

Sian, who serves on the London Assembly and is a councillor in Camden, welcomed delegates to the first day of the conference and said: “We are meeting here in the heart of the city I am so lucky and proud to call home.

“We’ve been winning in Brighton and with your help and support we can win again.”

Caroline Lucas and Sian Berry at the Green Party conference in Brighton (Image: The Argus)

Addressing the conference, Caroline Lucas said that the Green Party’s ability to make a difference “has never been more urgently needed”.

She said: “We have a government that is taking a wrecking ball to the environment, that is trashing its own climate pledges, that has given a green light to a coal mine in Cumbria and, most recklessly, has given the green light to the Rosebank oil field.

“That is why we say enough is enough, not in our name, they have to go.”

She also said that she “couldn’t be happier” that Sian Berry will fight to hold the party’s only seat in Parliament at the next election.

“Sian has such a long and distinguished record of standing up for what matters, of getting stuff done and of speaking truth to power,” Ms Lucas said. 

“I know she will do right and proud to keep Pavilion Green and I shall be proud to be alongside her every step of the way.”

Brighton Pavilion is among four constituencies being targeted by the Green Party at the next general election, along with Bristol Central, Waveney Valley and North Herefordshire.