AFTER recently being re-established in the Richmond constituency, the Green Party has announced it will is starting the process of selecting a parliamentary candidate.

Richmond Green Party member Fergus Brown said across the country the party had grown by about 60 per cent in 2014 and North Yorkshire had also seen a surge in membership after a visit from party leader Natalie Bennett last month.

The local party was recently set up by teenager Mathew Jeffrey when he wanted to join the party when he left school but found there was no local group.

Mr Brown said: “Every member in the local party is involved in the selection process and it is likely that a suitable prospective parliamentary candidate will be from the Yorkshire and Humberside region, not parachuted in from outside the area.

“Interest seems to have been stimulated by the close connection between national policy and local issues such as NHS services, a £10 minimum wage, public transport, affordable homes and fracking.

“This has produced a positive response from people looking for a fairer society with better local democracy. In simple terms, people like what we stand for.”

The local party also expects to run candidates in many of the district council wards during the 2015 elections.

Mr Brown added: “The most recent Ashcroft Poll saw the party outpolling the Liberal Democrats nationally, and the Richmond Constituency Party is optimistic about its election prospects in 2015.”

More information about the party is available by contacting Mr Brown on 07905-905381.

The group's next meeting will take place at 7.30 pm on Wednesday, November 12 at the Buck, Newbiggin, Richmond.