In the heart of Brighton, veteran Green Party politician Siân Berry reflects on a transformative period for her party, where strategic vision and passionate leadership have propelled them from a single parliamentary voice to a growing political force.

With four MPs now representing Green Party interests in the House of Commons, the landscape looks dramatically different from just a few years ago. Berry, who recently completed her first year as an MP, speaks candidly about the party's evolution, highlighting how each representative now shadows six government departments and ensures comprehensive representation for Green voters nationwide.

The party's recent surge began years before their current success, tracing back to 2014 and 2015 when strategic investments in staff training and broadening political messaging paid significant dividends. Under Natalie Bennett's leadership, the Greens deliberately expanded beyond environmental issues, engaging with unions and discussing workers' rights, which helped attract a more diverse membership.

September 2023 marked a pivotal moment with Zack Polanski's election as leader, which triggered an extraordinary membership boom. The party's rolls doubled from 70,000 to over 140,000, surpassing both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives - a remarkable achievement that Berry describes as reflective of Polanski's 'phenomenal leadership'.

The current Green parliamentary team - Berry, Adrian Ramsay, Carla Denyer, and their pioneering predecessor Caroline Lucas - now collectively represent a robust progressive voice. Whether challenging social security narratives, advocating for refugee rights, or proposing wealth taxation, they ensure critical issues receive parliamentary attention.

Berry's own journey exemplifies persistent commitment. After multiple unsuccessful mayoral and parliamentary campaigns, her victory in Brighton represented more than personal triumph - it was validation of positive, principled political campaigning. With current polling reaching 17%, the Greens are no longer a marginal political movement but a significant force challenging mainstream political discourse.

Looking forward, the party sees immense potential. Their expanded social media presence, encompassing TikTok, YouTube, and various digital platforms, allows them to communicate directly with younger voters in ways unavailable during earlier political generations. The legacy of Caroline Lucas, who single-handedly represented the Greens for 14 years, now feels like a foundational chapter in a much larger, more dynamic political story.