After 4 years supporting the Green Party as a national spokesperson (Education) and Parliamentary candidate (Isle of Wight x3) I am standing for the post of Policy Development Coordinator.

Our policies, determined democratically by the consensus of the membership, lie at the heart of our Party and distinguish us from all the other parties in the way they are created, developed and available for all the world to scrutinise.

There is no more important role than Policy Development Coordinator when it comes to ensuring our policies remain robust, contemporary and radical in order to properly equip our spokespeople and leadership team to give the Green Party the platform and direction we need.

This does not happen by accident. Yes, we have enthusiastic, talented and knowledgeable members, with a huge range of experience and expertise. But the party's Policy Development needs excellent strategic management, across the full range of policy areas, to maintain and improve upon our existing proposals whilst keeping our values of honesty, equality, and social and environmental justice.

As a national spokesperson since 2016 I have had the privilege to be a highly visible representative for Green policies – by far the best policies in the country! But I can identify times and areas where our policies need maintenance, updating and to be even more forward-thinking. Not just in education, but health, housing, local planning – there are countless opportunities to expand our policies. Attending all Conferences since I joined the party in late 2014 (apart from the snow one!) I know that this requirement for a coordinated approach is reflected across a significant range of our policy areas.

With strength in our policy platform, we gain strength as a Party.

Through working with the Policy Development Committee, policy working groups and the wider membership I would aim to analyse and identify those areas which could be enhanced by further development, and to reflect the full scope of the interests and experience of our membership. The coordinator position must support our members by listening, linking and coordinating a cohesive, regular review. In particular our policy working groups would benefit from improved promotion and support as the engines of participation and evaluation. The opportunity to develop closer links with external research organisations, charities and campaigning groups will help build the Green Party’s reputation as the radical force in national politics.

Our Party must not merely react to the news agenda, but should set the news agenda. Right now, as we face unprecedented economic and environmental crises, it will be robust and thoroughly planned policies that will equip us to face the challenges of the future.

• MEMBERS: View more on the Green Party Internal Elections 2020