It has been really exciting to be at the Green Party conference in Birmingham today. To witness the election of Jonathan Bartley and Caroline Lucas as the new, job-sharing leaders of the party, and to hear an inspiring, hope-filled speech.
It is encouraging to see how far the Green Party has come over recent years, and how robust, just and forward-thinking their policies are.
Lucas and Bartley spoke of the rich heritage of the Quakers in the West Midlands and the Green revolution taking place today. 
They spoke of the fear and divisions that have been stirred up by the recent referendum, of the destructive nature of unbridled capitalism, of inequalities and injustices. And they spoke of the Green policies that can counteract those: of social justice; inclusion; protecting workers’ rights; a Green Industrial Strategy; climate security; a radical redistribution of both wealth and power; and taking back control.
Green politics is about giving people real control – and that means looking forwards not backwards.
Taking control of our democracy
Taking control of our railways so they are owned by the public.
Taking control of the NHS, and keeping it firmly out of private hands
Taking control of our energy systems, our banking system, our schools, and our communities.
They belong to all of us and the politics of hope will give all of us control.
Caroline Lucas