The Green Party conference officially opens today in Lancaster. (8th - 11th September)

Darren Johnson (Green London Assembly Member) commented: "This conference, the first since the General Election where Greens won a quarter of a million votes nationally and 22% of the vote in Brighton alone, should provide a vital forum for the discussion of many of today's pressing issues."

"In the wake of the recent terror attacks we will be discussing recent moves to combat terrorism, and will be joined by speakers from organisations such as Liberty and the Campaign Against Criminalising Communities. Speakers from Africa, Japan, and West Papua will also be taking part in panel discussions."

"Climate change will also be on the agenda, with the dissappointing results of G8 andWashington's recent statements on this issue up for debate."

"Recent world events have provided us with a barrage of evidence that the 'business as usual' strategy employed by current world leaders, is not working. The Green Party are the only political party to provide a viable, sustainable alternative. Our message today is more important than ever."

There will also be policy debates on intellectual property rights, open source software and domestic tradable quotas for carbon.