THE election produced a couple of silver linings on a very large black cloud. One was the success of the Green Party.

While we didn’t sweep into Westminster, we made progress both politically and in terms of the numbers.

Looking at the numbers first, several things stand out. First, and perhaps most importantly, our wonderful MP Caroline Lucas was elected with 41 per cent of the vote in Brighton Pavilion. Her 2010 majority was wafer-thin and the local Green Party-run Brighton and Hove Council was far from popular. Shamefully, given her record, Labour threw everything they could at the contest. With all this in mind, an 11 per cent swing in her favour was extremely satisfying.

We gained over a million votes nationally — 1,139,682 to be precise — compared with around 265,000 at the last general election. We came second in four constituencies, although we had never had any second places before. In Bristol West we gained 26.8 per cent, and are in a strong position, given the growth from just a couple of per cent in 2010, to win it at the next general election.

We also came second in Liverpool Riverside, Manchester Gorton and Sheffield Central. We saved 123 deposits, where we gained 5 per cent or more of the vote, compared to just six saved deposits in the 2010 general election. Green Party executive member Sam Riches noted of the saved deposits: “I think that is a truly startling figure and speaks very strongly of the much-increased reach of the party thanks to the membership growth across the country.”

Our membership continues to grow rapidly — at the moment at least a hundred a day are joining. The Scottish Greens are an independent party but they and the Northern Irish Greens are also growing fast.

It’s not just the numbers that are growing: our political influence is also increasing. The Green Party has moved left over recent years and become ideologically more sophisticated and confident. We argued for action on climate change, an issue largely ignored. Likewise we told millions of people about the threat of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, a treaty between the EU and US that could allow corporations to sue governments over worker protection and environmental regulation.

Our leader Natalie Bennett, a migrant herself, spoke out passionately against the demonisation of immigration. Equally we challenged austerity and climate change. We gained votes because of, not despite, our radicalism. Instead of a general election focused on Ukip’s agenda, we did shift the debate — at least a little — on to an agenda for equality and compassion.

The Conservatives will not make our electoral system fairer. They will continue to find ways of making it less representative in order to cement their narrow victory. Human rights are under threat and they will steam ahead with attempts to ban strikes, accelerate the benefits cuts and please the bankers.

They will work hard to deepen the power of those who have the most, and I’m sad to say that deaths from benefit cuts will sharply rise. Yes, the vampires are in charge, and sadly the Labour Party will face increasing pressure from the media to ditch trade union links and more fully align with the rich and powerful.

The Liberal Democrats, outside their long-term base in Orkney and Shetland, are pretty much destroyed. At least the neoliberal Orange Book group who dominated the Liberal Democrats have been shattered. Despite the Tories’ victory there are millions of people who want a fairer society. The victory of the SNP also reflected positively on a party that moved to the left and challenged austerity. The left can make change.

Where next? The Conservatives have a small majority and need strong opposition. Caroline Lucas, working with left Labour MPs like Jeremy Corbyn plus the SNP and Plaid, will challenge our neoliberal government. 

Despite an unfair electoral system and a fiercely right-wing news media, we will target seats and, increasingly, win them. Above all, we will campaign at the grassroots and use non-violent direct action where appropriate.

The frackers are coming, our hospitals are being sold to corporations, public services are being outsourced and social housing is increasingly transformed into assets for millionaires.

We will resist. The Green Party will attempt to grow the social movements and change our country so that it works not for the millionaires but the millions of us. I appreciate that not everyone on the left supports the Green Party. Nevertheless, I am inspired to say join us, and make our Party not just 65,000, but 100,000 members strong.

• Derek Wall is international co-ordinator of the Green Party.