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Green Party meets for its 'biggest-ever conference' Green Party meets for its 'biggest-ever conference'
(about 7 hours later)
The Green Party is meeting in Bournemouth later for what it has billed as its "biggest-ever" conference, which will span four days. The Green Party is meeting in Bournemouth for what it has billed as its "biggest-ever" conference, which will span four days.
The party, which says its membership has quadrupled to 67,000 in a year, expects up to 2,000 members to attend. The party, which says its membership has quadrupled to 67,000 in a year, expects up to 1,100 members to attend.
Leader Natalie Bennett's speech is at 14:00 BST, and MP Caroline Lucas will address conference on Sunday.Leader Natalie Bennett's speech is at 14:00 BST, and MP Caroline Lucas will address conference on Sunday.
The party says there will be a key focus on climate change, ahead of the Paris climate conference in December. Ahead of the conference, Ms Bennett said she believed British politics was shifting in her party's direction.
She also told the BBC there would be a big focus in her speech on climate change, ahead of the Paris climate conference in December.
Over the four-day event speeches are also expected from Green Party deputy leaders Dr Shahrar Ali and Amelia Womack and Welsh Greens leader Pippa Bartolotti.Over the four-day event speeches are also expected from Green Party deputy leaders Dr Shahrar Ali and Amelia Womack and Welsh Greens leader Pippa Bartolotti.
'Green surge''Green surge'
The conference comes after a record vote share of 3.8% for the Green Party at May's general election. However, its increase in support did not result in another parliamentary seat.The conference comes after a record vote share of 3.8% for the Green Party at May's general election. However, its increase in support did not result in another parliamentary seat.
Green Party leader Natalie Bennett finished third in the Labour seat in Holborn and St Pancras.Green Party leader Natalie Bennett finished third in the Labour seat in Holborn and St Pancras.
However, Ms Lucas was returned to Parliament as the MP for Brighton Pavilion, with an increased share of the vote that came largely at the expense of the Liberal Democrats.However, Ms Lucas was returned to Parliament as the MP for Brighton Pavilion, with an increased share of the vote that came largely at the expense of the Liberal Democrats.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Ms Bennett said: "The 'Green surge', which has seen the party membership more than quadruple to 67,000 in just a year, shows that the political landscape is shifting. It is clear that the politics of the future will not look like the politics of the past." Ms Bennett said: "The 'Green surge', which has seen the party membership more than quadruple to 67,000 in just a year, shows that the political landscape is shifting. It is clear that the politics of the future will not look like the politics of the past."
For the first time, members will be able to participate in the party's policy-making process "and make important decisions about our democratic structures", according to Ms Bennett. Speaking to BBC Breakfast she dismissed the suggestion that Labour, under Jeremy Corybn, would squeeze her party, saying there had been a "real shift" in British politics and it was "coming in our direction".
The party will also be collecting donations at the conference for the people based in the migrant camp at Calais. "The people who'll be left isolated are the Tories," the Green leader said, adding: "We're doing the new politics, the people's politics."
Deputy leader Amelia Womack, who visited to the camp, said the crisis engulfing Europe would be helped by "dispelling the myth" that those in camps are a threat to the UK. The party will also be collecting donations at its conference for the people based in the migrant camp at Calais.
Deputy leader Amelia Womack, who visited the camp, said the crisis engulfing Europe would be helped by "dispelling the myth" that those in camps are a threat to the UK.
She said the donations would help to improve the living conditions of the people in Calais.She said the donations would help to improve the living conditions of the people in Calais.
"As we head into winter, it's important that everyone there has access to adequate shelter, clothing, shoes and hygiene products," she said."As we head into winter, it's important that everyone there has access to adequate shelter, clothing, shoes and hygiene products," she said.