'We're waiting to sweep up their votes': Three days inside the Green Party conference

The Green Party gathered in the sunny seaside town of Brighton for their conference to formulate a new strategy to make an impact in Britain. Co-deputy leader Mothin Ali was in an energetic mood, boasting about the party's achievements in the past year. He highlighted the 400 councillors elected in May, the 1,300 councillors in total, a fifth MP in parliament, and the quadrupling of membership. Ali credited leader Jeremy Polanski for the Greens' surge in the polls last year and their success in the May local elections.

At the conference, the atmosphere was vibrant, with diverse members mingling in restaurants and bars. However, the party now faces challenges under the new and popular Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Polling shows a significant drop in Greens' support, with Burnham taking steps to address grievances that led Labour voters to switch to the Greens.

Green Party leader Polanski remained committed to maintaining the party as a force shaping political discourse on Israel and Palestine. He called for Britain to defy Israel's order to close the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, arguing that the consulate is a vital diplomatic link between Britain and Palestinians. Polanski also addressed the issue of Zionism, arguing that it results in ethnic cleansing and a belief that one group of people is superior to another.

The conference was marked by contentious debates, including a motion to declare Zionism a form of racism. The motion received 1,022 votes in favor and 813 against. This marked the first time a major party in the country recognized Zionism as a form of racism and backed a single democratic Palestinian state with equal rights for all ethnic and religious groups.