Mary Marshall is a Green Party member. Here she sets out her view of where the party is currently at.

We’ve elected a new leader. Supporters are elated, while old hands worry. As in 2015, before Jeremy Corbyn was elected leader of the Labour Party, we have had a membership surge. Afterwards there was a precipitous dip. Will this repeat once “Your Party” gets past its inaugural conference, if it gets there, who knows?

I hope those of us who went through the last attempt at electoral cooperation are listened to. At the very least we should make sure local parties get a long run up so they can get their democratic ducks in a row. Ultimately, we should let local parties decide when, where, with whom and how far to cooperate. I hope local parties are listened to. They know the local issues and political makeup, strengths and weaknesses of their rivals.

I fear we still aren’t agile enough to react to sudden changes in events. It’s impossible to have a policy which covers every situation. Foreign events are particularly tricky.

I hope that our Green leadership & parliamentary team can read the country’s mood. Even if that mood is ‘we’ve got no idea what to do’!

I fear that those who are former members of other parties will bring their fractious ways with them and we will be overwhelmed.

I have heard Labour’s rules, Standing Orders etc… described as “Byzantine” i.e. over elaborate and complex. Ours are bad enough! I don’t want them to become worse just because one group pushes for their own way, it’s found that it blocks something else, then gets tweaked etc… and becomes unworkable.

I hope those with skills who felt frustrated elsewhere can be welcomed, find their role, support to flourish, and find pride and fulfilment in a growing successful party.

I fear that once “Your Party” gets going there will be a nasty, grubby scramble for members instead of the friendly and cooperative atmosphere I can see Zack trying to foster.

I fear a change in culture. Subgroups always emerge, how can they not? Society is complex and we don’t have the time nor capacity to know or be deeply involved in everything. However, we need to guard against group “in” jokes, used to ease tension and foster cohesion and consensus, breaking out and turning into tropes to bully the ignorant innocent.

I fear the emotive Trans/ gender critical tension, which isn’t going to go away, is going to break out and overwhelm us with safeguard issues.

I hope our fledgling, Quaker-staffed, confidential listening space will ease tension and allow a lot of steam to be vented.

I hope we can cultivate a good, professional relationship with the media. Many, with good cause, don’t trust them and are weary of speaking to them. However, how is anyone going to know about the great things we are doing unless we tell someone?

Above all I hope for a successful, fruitful, affirming conference setting The Green Party on course for greater success.