Progressive politics has failed to resolve the dilemma that our national prosperity - and that of other rich nations - has only been possible through a massive exploitation of millions of people, and via the plundering of our planet's natural resources, the Green Party leader and Brighton Pavilion parliamentary candidate said this week.

In a keynote speech delivered to the London-based think-tank Demos on Wedneday Caroline, who is tipped by pollsters to take the Brighton Pavilion seat in the upcoming General Election, said that more needed to be done to ensure that genuine equality for all is at the heart of future government policy.

She said: "The economic, political and environmental challenges that we face represent a key opportunity to embrace Green thinking - and for policymakers to begin to prioritise true equality and human well-being above narrow and short-term economic growth.

"The great progressive agenda of the twentieth century - social security provisions, better housing, full employment, education reforms and the National Health Service - was all about equality. The simple principle was that everyone should be provided equally with the basics of a civilised society.

"The fundamental challenge now for progressive politics is that we must come to terms with the true meaning of equality.

"Progressive politics has depended on ever increasing economic growth and rising prosperity to bring about a redistribution of power.

"As the economy has grown, so elites have been persuaded to give up a little of the wealth and power.

"But this has consequences.

"It gives the illusion of greater equality, while allowing for greater concentration of power and wealth in the hands of the few.

"What's more, prosperity itself may be built on rotten foundations. The growth that has paid for our welfare state is built on the exploitation of our natural resources and on the exploitation of people here and around the world. Often with the best intentions, the pursuit of increased national wealth as a means to promote equality carries with it the seeds of its own failure."

Caroline concluded: "The Green party is built on the single principle of equality - and its aim is to attempt to put the underlying principles of progressive politics into practice.

"We are bringing an essential new insight to progressive politics; the time has come to widen our mission, renew our sense of internationalism, and embrace our responsibility for future generations."

Demos is a London-based think tank. www.demos.co.uk

For more information please contact the Brighton and Hove Green Party office on 01273 766 670.