The paper’s delivery effectively launches the on-the-ground campaign for Siân Berry as Green candidate for London Mayor, and our campaign to double the number of Green London Assembly members.

Stunningly, given that it is a paper from a political party, production has been largely paid for by advertising from ethical, green companies. This signals both the growth of this sector, and the fact that the Green Party’s reputation as an ethical party stands high above that of any other party, so these companies with high ideals value being associated with us.

Other Green parties, in Norwch, Oxford and Brighton also pay for a regular paper through advertising. As they feature more in-depth articles than a simple leaflet, they enhance democracy and provide a great platform for Green politics – and London Green News will hopefully deepen the party’s relationship with key areas of London, and bring in new members and support with it.

The theme of Siân’s launch this week also marks a new way of communicating a well-established Green idea. She has highlighted the fact that Green policies, such as reducing energy waste and getting people onto public transport, also cut the cost of living because they mean lower bills and lower fares. They make life easier for people with normal incomes.

Social benefits and equality have long been seen as a core part of sustainability – yet many people have perceived Green ideas as expensive and slightly elitist. They are not, and must not be, if they have any chance of succeeding. Siân’s affordability theme is even more resonant in the over-priced capital, and should help break new political ground for the Greens in next year’s elections.