THE national leader of the Green Party met business leaders, community groups and activists during a packed visit to the district.

Natalie Bennett praised the "visionary business leadership" of Watermill Press when she presented its Living Wage Employer accreditation and was given a grilling, one she admitted was tough, by Muslim Women's Council members.

Her visit to the district started at the label manufacturers, based off Manchester Road, where she presented a plaque marking its commitment to paying all staff a Living Wage - a higher rate of pay than the National Minimum Wage.

The company has clients including Marks and Spencer, Britvic, Princes Food and the Robert McBride Group.

Miss Bennett said: "Bradford and Britain needs more of this kind of visionary business leadership if we are to build a sustainable and fair society fit for the 21st century."

Watermill Press managing director Dale Deacon said: "We do not believe the National Minimum Wage is sufficient for many people to live on and would like to see many more employers in Bradford commit to paying a Living Wage."

Miss Bennett was joined on her tour by chairman of the Bradford District Green Party Councillor Kevin Warnes Bradford Council's Green councillors and local party treasurer.

At the Carlisle Business Centre in Manningham she met Muslim Women's Council members who work to promote women’s voices and community relations.

There she was tackled on many issues including the NHS, the role of Ofsted, encouraging young people into politics, housing and the portrayal of Muslims.

She was also told that the Green Party did not do enough to engage Muslim women.

"We know we are not engaging fully in that area, and we want to make sure we are listening," Miss Bennett said.

The party has seen a surge in membership recently, up 50 per cent this year, with 1,000 member signing up in the last ten days. An achievement Miss Bennett said she could not fully explain.

"My best idea, and it's not phrased in a very sophisticated way, is that people are fed up. They don't think large parties are going to do it anymore," she said.

And she said the Scottish Referendum had thrown politics into the spotlight.

"I'm increasingly believing that next year is the year British politics breaks wide open in the way we saw with the Scottish Referendum. In the six weeks before, it was 'ho-hum', then suddenly it all broke open and I think it could do that here," she said.

Miss Bennett also believes the rise of UKIP means there will be several seats which could be taken with a 25 to 30 per cent of the vote.

Her visit also included lunch at the Chaat Café at Manningham Mills Community Centre, which she described as "the best looking community centre I have ever seen", and she joined activists in Saltaire for dinner before a public meeting at the Operatic House in Ilkley.