WITH public opinion of the political establishment at an all-time low, this year’s General Election could see the rise of the fringe parties.

The Green Party, long derided as full of sandal wearing, climate-change obsessives, is one of those parties which could capitalise and can offer a real alternative to the mainstream, according to local candidates Alan Johnson and Rachel Mann.

Largely snubbed so far by media organisations, the pair are quick to point out that at last year’s European elections, the party polled 8.6 per cent of the vote nationwide.

And when it comes to policy, they have a series of well-thought-out and, most importantly, costed ideas which they say will help rebuild the economy while safeguarding and creating employment and a better deal for pensioners.

Ms Mann said: “We would increase the state pension to £170 for a single person and £300 for a couple, make wages a living wage and spend our way out of the recession by undertaking a public works schedule to get people back into work.

“Everything has been fully costed and we have identified savings that can be made and that includes scrapping the Trident missile programme, getting rid of the National ID card scheme and bringing the troops home from Afghanistan.”

Both have their backgrounds firmly rooted in the socialist movement and it is easy to see why they are now so passionate about the Green cause, which seems unashamedly socialist.

Mr Johnson revealed last year that he was hoping the party would contest every ward at the forthcoming council elections.

That has not quite happened — they will fight for 12 of the 20 seats, but he is convinced that his party is on the cusp of something big.

He said: “I think people are looking for alternatives, although not as quickly as we would have liked, and we really do offer that.

“We want to raise standards and address the inequalities that exist in this country.

“The gap has not narrowed as we are being told, but has widened.”

They may not be ready to make the gains they are working hard for in Bolton North East or Bolton West, but it would be no surprise to see their party leader, Euro MP Caroline Lucas, succeed in her question to become the first Green MP in Brighton Pavilion.