A lot has been written in the last couple of weeks about Labour’s success in recent parliamentary by-elections, what sort of majority the party can expect at the next general election, and indeed, when Rishi Sunak will finally cave in and allow this country to go to the polls.

It doesn’t take a political strategist to work out why a Conservative Party on the precipice of political annihilation may be nervous about calling an election. All the thinly disguised pre-election bribes, dog-whistle immigration policies and short-term tax cuts to the wealthy won’t save the Tories after 14 years of the slow demolition of public services.

But one question which will be debated locally when an election is finally called will be who to vote for in Brighton Pavilion. I am certain Labour will stress the need to vote for them to ensure a strong majority in the House of Commons and to rid us of the current cruel incarnation of the Conservative Party.

Labour, however, are on course for a landslide Commons majority regardless of how anyone votes in Brighton Pavilion. Don’t let them tell you otherwise. Recent polls suggest Labour could end up with a majority of more than 250. To put that in perspective, Tony Blair’s landslide in 1997 only secured a 179-seat majority. Brighton Pavilion returning a Green MP again won’t restrict Labour in terms of what it can and can’t achieve in government. It would just be one less voiceless backbench Labour MP, without influence, and whipped to vote and say as Sir Keir Starmer tells them.

But it would retain a Green voice in Westminster. And at a time when Labour is abandoning any pretence of commitments to the environment and the emerging Green economy, that voice has arguably never been more important.

Caroline Lucas has been an amazing MP. A passionate and articulate advocate of environmental issues. A tireless champion for her constituents. A voice respected throughout Westminster. Someone who stands up for the most vulnerable in our community.

She has held the government to account more times than I’m sure successive prime ministers would care to remember and been a fantastic flag-bearer for progressive, left-wing policies. When she steps down at the next election, I can think of few people more deserving of being nominated for the freedom of Brighton and Hove. Caroline will certainly be missed.

But Siân Berry, the local Green candidate to replace Caroline, is cut from the same cloth. Since being selected, Siân has talked to local people about their concerns and priorities, got to grips with every single local issue – large and small, and begun offering support to countless residents. Her commitment and dedication are inspiring. As a Green Party member, I couldn’t be happier with our selection and am convinced Siân will win Brighton Pavilion and continue Caroline’s fantastic work in Parliament.

And make no mistake, the city – and the UK – needs that Green voice in Parliament. Climate change is real. But a Labour government run by Sir Keir won’t be bold enough to take the necessary steps to tackle its worst impacts. He’s shown us that already by ditching his £28 billion Green Investment plan. More than that, though, a Green MP in Parliament also provides a voice to the most vulnerable in our society. A voice which too often would otherwise go unheard. The environment is central to the Green Party, but so is social justice and equality.

There is, of course, another issue here – that of the UK’s flawed electoral system. At the last general election more than 850,000 people voted for the Green Party. We ended up with a single MP. By contrast, the Conservatives returned an MP for every 38,000 votes, and Labour one for every 53,000. First past the post simply does not deliver a parliament which accurately reflects the views of voters.

Proportional representation is the answer. But sadly, we know Sir Keir won’t be embracing that argument any time soon. He has too many policy commitments to U-turn on. The NHS won’t privatise itself and there are the few remaining pledges from his leadership campaign to back track on.

Voting for Labour will do nothing more than add another single digit to Labour’s majority at each vote. Voting for Siân Berry, however, will achieve far more. It will keep a strong Green voice in Parliament, ensure scrutiny on a Labour Party hell bent on ditching support for working people and protection for our environment. And provide the people of Brighton Pavilion with a hard-working, passionate, and committed local MP.

Councillor Steve Davis is the leader of the Greens on Brighton and Hove City Council