I joined the Greens in 2008 after I came to the conclusion that no other party was interested in social justice or a sustainable future.
I've been impressed by the work of the party's elected representatives at every level of government and believe that the election of Britain's first Green MP in May 2010 will continue to transform our prospects as a party.
I was the Green Party's first parliamentary candidate in Carlisle at the 2010 election and also a council candidate. I belong to one of Britain's biggest political groupings: ex-Labour Party members. I was very active in the Labour Party in Carlisle from 1993 until 2007 and served twice as a City Councillor, was a parliamentary candidate in 2005 and constituency chair of the Carlisle party and member of the Labour North regional board.
I'm married to Jane and we live in Currock. I'm a teacher at the city's Newman Catholic School, the best job I've ever had, and was born and raised in Carlisle.
John maintains a blog on local politics, current affairs and green issues at: johnbreardon.blogspot.com