Natalie Bennett visits Bristol

Last week, Bristol was happy to welcome Green Party leader Natalie Bennett for what will likely be one of many visits. Spending the morning at a stall on the UOB precinct with a crowd of enthusiastic Young Greens, passing students and Bristol West election favourite Darren Hall, Natalie discussed broken tuition fee promises, rising inequality and the recent meteoric surge in party membership, particularly amongst younger voters. 

A brief foray to the Student Union for an hour with The Times, was followed swiftly by a BBC interview at Roll for the Soul, a local community interest company paying living wage, partnered with their friends upstairs, the Bristol Bike Project.

Just when the day appeared to have ended, news broke that broadcasters had proposed a televised debate format that included the Greens, settling on a 7-7-2 structure. Following which there was a final impromptu interview with the BBC outside Temple Meads, in which Natalie voiced her approval of the proposal. Plaid Cymru and SNP’s inclusion will make for a dynamic debate, and one which is unusually gender balanced with 3 women potentially taking to the podiums.