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The Green Party now has more members than the Liberal Democrats, despite having 68 fewer MPs in parliament.

Rachel Millward, the party’s deputy leader, announced the achievement to members on the second day of the party’s annual conference in Bournemouth this morning.

It’s believed to be only the second time this has happened, with the last time being more than a decade ago – in January 2015.

The Greens have revealed they now have more than 83,500 members, to the Lib Dems 83,174.

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Mr Polanski has accused the home secretary of being ‘deeply irresponsible’ for her comments about pro-Palestine protests

This is despite Sir Ed Davey’s party having 72 MPs in parliament, while the Greens have just four representatives in the Commons.

Around 20,000 new members have joined the Green Party in recent months, leading to a surge in membership of about 20%.

Polanski: ‘I have undoubtedly accelerated the party’s rise’

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It follows the election of new leader Zack Polanski at the beginning of September. Mr Polanski, who is not an MP, ran on a platform of bringing about a mass-movement within the party through the form of “eco-populism”.

Mr Polanski has stated his public ambition is for the party to win more than 30 MPs at the next general election in four years time, and to win himself a seat in parliament.

Announcing the rise in membership, Ms Millward said: “We are now officially the fastest growing political movement in Britain today!

“As of right now, I can confirm we are bigger than the Liberal Democrats.”

This was met with a standing ovation from members, one of several that the deputy leader received during her speech.

Speaking to Sky News following his deputy’s speech to the conference, Mr Polanski said: “It’s phenomenally exciting. It marks a real moment. It’s really striking to me that since I launched my leadership campaign back in May, membership went up 33% and is still going up.”

Challenged if he believes the sudden rise in membership is entirely down to his own leadership abilities, Mr Polanski responded: “This is a team effort.

“I think for a long time the party’s had a very clear direction. I think, undoubtedly, I’ve accelerated that in terms of the bold politics message, but I know the entire party is on board with that.”

Mr Polanski speaking during the Green Party conference. Pic: PA
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Mr Polanski speaking during the Green Party conference. Pic: PA

The Green Party leader used his keynote speech to members on Friday to set out plans for a wealth tax on the assets of the richest 1% “to reduce inequality” and end “rip off Britain”. He also called the conflict in Gaza a genocide – a long-standing Green Party policy – and insisted “we will not be silent”.

On Saturday, deputy leaders Ms Millward and Mothin Ali addressed members in the morning and, at lunchtime, hundreds of supporters gathered on the beach in Bournemouth in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

Holding up a large red banner that stretched far down the beach, Mr Polanski asked the government where its “red line” was for Israel. Members led several chants from the beach, including the controversial phrase: “From the River to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

This evening, Mr Polanski will record a live episode of his podcast, Bold Politics, with left-wing commentator, Owen Jones.

Mr Polanski addresses the party conference
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Mr Polanski addresses the party conference

Lib Dems: ‘Sir Ed Davey is the most popular and the most trusted’

The Liberal Democrats’ website boasts a membership of “more than 90,000 people”, but Sky News understands that this figure is out of date and incorrect.

The 83,174 number comes from the most recently published set of the party’s accounts, which cover up to the end of last year. It is thought membership of the party may have dropped since.

Responding to being overtaken by the Greens, a spokesperson for the party said: “Across the country it’s the Liberal Democrats who are on the up, after making record gains at the local elections in May, winning more seats than Labour and the Conservatives for the first time ever.

“Ed Davey is the most popular party leader, and the most trusted on NHS and care, because we’re focused on the issues that really matter.”

The Lib Dems held their party conference earlier this year, where Sir Ed used speeches to attack Reform UK, US President Donald Trump and tech titan Elon Musk.

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Starmer urges anyone with information on Epstein case to come forward – after Andrew misses Congress deadline

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Deadline day for Andrew to respond to Epstein inquiry - but it's hard to imagine why he'd talk

Sir Keir Starmer has urged anyone with information on the Jeffrey Epstein case to come forward after Andrew Mountbatten Windsor missed the deadline to appear in front of US Congress.

US legislators have criticised Andrew for what they describe as “silence” amid their probe into Epstein after he failed to respond to their request for an interview.

When asked about Andrew missing the deadline and whether the former prince should help the case in any way he can, Sir Keir said on his way to the G20 summit in South Africa: “I don’t comment on this particular case.”

He added that “a general principle I’ve held for a very long time is that anybody who has got relevant information in relation to these kind of cases should give that evidence to those that need it”.

Andrew is not legally obliged to talk to Congress and has always vigorously denied any wrongdoing.

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Sir Keir Starmer spoke to reporters on his way to the G20 in South Africa. Pic: Reuters
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Sir Keir Starmer spoke to reporters on his way to the G20 in South Africa. Pic: Reuters

It comes as Marjorie Taylor Greene, a loyal supporter-turned-critic of US President Donald Trump, said on Friday she is resigning from Congress in January.

Ms Greene’s resignation followed a public falling-out with Mr Trump in recent months, as the congresswoman criticised him for his stance on files related to Epstein, as well as on foreign policy and healthcare.

Members of the House Oversight Committee had requested a “transcribed interview” with Andrew in connection with his “long-standing friendship” with Epstein, the paedophile financier who took his own life in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.

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Releasing the Epstein files: How we got here

But after saying they had not heard back, Democrats Robert Garcia and Suhas Subramanyam accused Andrew of hiding.

Their statement read: “Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s silence in the face of the Oversight Democrat’s demand for testimony speaks volumes.

“The documents we’ve reviewed, along with public records and Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s testimony, raise serious questions he must answer, yet he continues to hide.

“Our work will move forward with or without him, and we will hold anyone who was involved in these crimes accountable, no matter their wealth, status, or political party. We will get justice for the survivors.”

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The new Epstein files: The key takeaways

It follows Andrew being stripped of his prince and Duke of York titles earlier this month.

He had previously agreed to stop using his titles, but had expected to remain a prince and retain his dukedom, ahead of the publication of the memoirs of the late Ms Giuffre, who had accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager – an accusation he denies.

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Girl, 13, arrested on suspicion of murdering woman in Swindon

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Girl, 13, arrested on suspicion of murdering woman in Swindon

A 13-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a woman in Swindon.

Police said the teenager was detained following an incident in Baydon Close, Moredon, in the Wiltshire town on Friday evening.

Officers responded to reports of disorder inside a house. When they arrived, a woman in her 50s living at the address was found to be not breathing. She was declared dead at the scene.

There were no other reported injuries.

Forensic officers are at the scene to collect evidence
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Forensic officers are at the scene to collect evidence

Detective Inspector Darren Ambrose, from Wiltshire Police’s major crime investigation team, said: “This is a serious incident in which a woman has sadly died.

“We have set up a cordon at the address while an investigation is carried out.

“I can confirm that we have arrested a teenage girl in connection with this incident and we are not looking for anyone else.”

Police have asked people not to speculate about the incident online as this could prejudice the case.

A police statement read: “Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while we continue carrying out our enquiries into the woman’s death.

“The suspect remains in custody at this time.”

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Police said anyone with concerns should speak with their local neighbourhood policing team, either by emailing or approaching officers in person.

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Rail fares to be frozen for first time in 30 years

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Rail fares to be frozen for first time in 30 years

Rail fares are to be frozen for the first time in 30 years, the government has announced.

Ministers promised that millions of rail travellers will save hundreds of pounds on regulated fares, including season tickets and peak and off-peak returns between major cities.

The fare freeze applies to England and services run by English train operators.

People commuting to work three days a week using flexi-season tickets will save £315 a year travelling from Milton Keynes to London, £173 travelling from Woking to London and £57 from Bradford to Leeds, the government said.

The changes are part of Labour’s plans to rebuild a publicly owned Great British Railways. Other planned changes include tap in-tap out and digital ticketing, as well as investing in superfast Wi-Fi.

The freeze applies to regulated fares, including season tickets and peak and off-peak returns. Pic: iStock
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The freeze applies to regulated fares, including season tickets and peak and off-peak returns. Pic: iStock

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the government was introducing a freeze on rail fares for the first time in 30 years, which “will ease the pressure on household finances and make travelling to work, school or to visit friends and family that bit easier”.

“We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so we’re freezing fares to help millions of passengers save money,” Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said.

“Commuters on more expensive routes will save more than £300 per year, meaning they keep more of their hard-earned cash.”

Rail unions and passenger groups welcomed the move, praising how it will make travel more affordable for passengers and promote more sustainable travel alternatives.

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Eddie Dempsey, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: “More affordable fares will encourage greater use of public transport, supporting jobs, giving a shot in the arm to local economies and helping to improve the environment.”

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said the rail fare freeze “will be a huge relief to working people”.

“This is the right decision, at the right time, to help passengers be able to afford to make that journey they need to take, and to help grow our railway in this country, because the railway is Britain’s green alternative – taking cars and lorries off our congested roads and moving people and goods safely around our country in an environmentally-friendly way,” Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers union Aslef, said.

The Tories welcomed the move but said the government was “late to the platform”.

Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden said: “In government, the Conservatives kept fares on the right track with below-inflation rises and consistently called for no further hikes to protect hard-working commuters.”

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