23rd June 2006

Until last year I had been a Labour voter all my life. I believed so passionately in the causes of wealth redistribution and social justice that I made a huge commitment to Labour. But, after the invasion of Iraq, I resigned my party posts and then finally left Labour last year in utter disillusion and with no regret.

Now that all three mainstream parties have converged at the centre, it appears there is little real identity left in British politics. The concept of a meaningful choice between Labour and the Conservatives has all but disappeared.

Having rejected my former allegiance, I wanted to find territory that embraced ideals Labour once held and which also addressed environmental issues that can simply no longer be ignored. I have found this in the Green Party.

Climate change and the energy debate have become profound concerns to all but the most blinkered, and green politics is therefore fundamental for today and for the future. But it is not only a question of environmental policy. The Greens are also committed to a fairer tax system which will allow resources to be diverted to public services.

The current disaffection with politics is scarcely surprising as Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories fight it out to be the most stale, unethical and colourless.

Many voters see little that is constructive in the mainstream parties, and major political advances can be made quickly by a party which can offer a different approach.

Rosie Reed, Stroud Gloucestershire