Opposition - Green Party

The last UK general election was notable for many things - but one that is easily overlooked is the Green Party gaining it first seat.

Party Leader Ms Caroline Lucas was elected to the Brighton Pavilion constituency, just 2.4% ahead of her Labour opponent. Since her election Ms Lucas has been active in parliament, with well above the average number of contributions, and in public - being particularly prominent during the unsuccessful AV campaign. During the campaign she was highly visible alongside Mr Charles Kennedy of the Liberal Democrats and Mr E Miliband of Labour (BBC, 2011).

As for the Green Party itself, it claimed control of a local council for the first time in the by-elections of May 2011. As constrained by the cuts as other councils and with no clear majority, the Green group in Brighton & Hove have been forced to make some difficult decisions (White, 2011) - and haven't been able to keep  everyone happy.

However, with the exposure that they're receiving from Ms Lucas' work as an MP, and if they can turn control of Brighton Council into a success, then the next election may well be very interesting indeed for the Green Party. Particularly because of the upcoming Scottish Referendum.

Following what some have felt to be the Lib Dems' abandoning of its 'Left Alternative' position in order to govern, the SNP made massive gains in Scotland by taking on those voters (Watt et al, 2011). Reports suggest that a good number of those who voted Liberal Democrat in 2010 have either ceased backing or become undecided about the party (Duffett, 2012). And the SNP have used their huge swell of support to push for an independence referendum.

Whether the SNP Win or lose their referendum, the Green Party looks set to benefit. If the SNP win the Greens lose nothing. But if the SNP lose, the Greens could stand to benefit from a boost of support. Particularly from 'left alternative' supporters that backed Liberal Democrats in England in 2010 and switched to the SNP in Scotland in 2011.

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References:
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+ BBC's 'Ed Miliband launches cross-party alternative vote push'; 29 March 2011.

+ Nicholas Watt, Severin Carrell & Steven Morris' 'Lib Dem support collapses across north while SNP make gains'; 6 May 2011.

+ Helen Duffett's 'Comeback Clegg – the Times’ reasons to be cheerful about the Lib Dems'; in Liberal Democrat Voice; 17 January 2012.