Jonathon Porritt joined Green parliamentary candidate Caroline Lucas to campaign on the streets of Brighton on Saturday.

With Sara Parkin and Paul Ekins, Porritt founded Forum for the Future in 1996, a sustainable development charity. In 1997, he was appointed the inaugural chair of the Sustainable Development Commission, from which he retired in September 2009.

On his departure, Jonathon Porritt strongly criticised Gordon Brown and Labour's failure to tackle the challenges of environmental degradation.

Speaking at the campaign event on Saturday, he said: "I'm delighted to be joining Caroline to spread the Green message to residents of Brighton Pavilion. It's an exciting time for the Green movement with Caroline being so close to an historic election win."

He continued: "In these challenging and uncertain times, Caroline Lucas and the Greens are providing hope for those who fear the main political parties are not taking the global problems we face seriously enough. Many hope that voting in the first Green MP will set a historic precedent, opening the door for further Green wins around the country."

Porritt concluded: "People have been blind to the fact that the causes of the economic collapse are exactly the same as those behind today's climate crisis. We have ignored financial and environmental debts and risks, whilst having too much deregulation.

"What we can do, and what Caroline has strongly pushed for, is job creation linked to energy efficiency, renewables, smart energy grids, and new transportation solutions."

Caroline Lucas MEP, candidate for Brighton Pavilion, said: "Throughout the constituency, people are realising it is the Greens who hold the clearest vision of a fair and sustainable future. Our policies cover education, healthcare, the economy and jobs. We have workable solutions to the problems of the 21st century that don't compromise people's rights or the environment.

"It's an honour and a privilege to have the support of Jonathon in spreading this message."

--

1) A poll by ICM* (December 2009) has predicted a Green Party win in Brighton Pavilion, with the Greens polling at 35%, the Conservatives at 27%, Labour at 25% and the Lib Dems at 11%. This follows a YouGov poll (October 2009) which predicted the Greens would take their first seat in Brighton Pavilion. As their campaign continues to gather steam and attract high profile support from the likes of Porritt, hopes have never been higher that this will be their year.

2) In the 2009 European elections in Brighton and Hove, the Greens took 31% of the vote, ahead of the Conservatives (22%) and Labour (15%). Across Brighton and Hove, the Green Party has 13 Councillors, following a by-election in July 2009 where Councillor Alex Phillips won a Goldsmid seat from the Conservatives. This leaves the Conservatives without a majority in full Council meetings.

3) ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 533 adults aged 18+ by telephone on 16-21st December 2009. Interviews were conducted across the political constituency of Brighton Pavilion and the results have been weighted to the profile of all Brighton Pavilion adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

Photo: Charlotte Macpherson