Green leader Caroline Lucas addresses party conference in Cardiff

Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green party and its only MP, addressed the party's spring conference at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff today.

Ms Lucas, who holds the only seat for the Green Party in Westminster, addressed party members ahead of May's Assembly election where they hope to win their first seat in Wales.

Jake Griffiths, leader of the Welsh Green Party will be standing for South Wales Central and Penarth, joining four other Green candidates across the five electoral regions.

Ms Lucas said: "There is no better time for our party's spring conference to be here in Wales. I predict that 2011 will also see a historic first, Greens elected to the Welsh Assembly."

Ms Lucas's speech focused on budget cuts, the banking crisis, freedom of information and human rights. She also spoke about the role of communities, voting reform and life in opposition.

She said: "These cuts are not inevitable. They are ideology, not economic necessity. Our policies have never been more urgently needed." She also outlined the reasons why she believes the Green Party are now the only viable opposition.

"Unlike Labour we never wanted to make cuts. We can oppose the Conservatives and Lib Dems with a clear conscience.

"The May elections are so important because it is a chance to reach out for our fellow citizens. They need opposition to the three-party consensus. This is our job. This is our time."

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