Last year thousands of people – including many of you – rallied around to support the continuation of the link between the Co-operative party and Britain’s largest co-op, the Co-operative Group. In the next few weeks, members of the Co-operative Group have the opportunity to ensure that the co-operative movement’s political arm can continue to champion co-operative values and principles in British politics.
I have always been clear that I represent two parties in Westminster – the Labour party and the Co-operative party. I am proud to follow in the footsteps of over 90 years of co-operators who have entered parliament seeking to show that there is a different way to do business.
It is significant that the Co-operative Group’s board and national members council are this year recommending that the link between Group and party should continue and was great to see Hazel Blears (now a Co-op Group board director) publicly underscore the importance of this relationship this week.
I believe that it is vital for members of the Co-operative Group to vote in their AGM to continue supporting the Co-operative party. This is not just because I believe that co-operative politics has a vibrant and important part to play in public policy over the coming years but I have also seen first-hand the important work the party does day to day. The success of this work is exemplified through the party’s campaign which has resulted in members of our armed forces and their families having access to a specialist credit union services.
Through the entirety of my political journey, and the last six years in Westminster, it has been fantastic to be part of something which speaks up for the co-operative values and principles which I believe are vital to reshaping our economy in the interests of all. Being in Westminster has allowed me the platform to press the government to adopt co-operative policies which, if supported, would make a material difference not just to my constituents but the rest of the country. The work that has been done to promote new forms of co-operative housing, the vision for the rapid increase in renewable energy co-ops and implementing co-operative values and principles in education start to build a society where a larger number of people have a voice and a stake in the services that they rely on.
In the coming weeks and months I hope that more of us within the progressive politics take another look at this historic movement whose time has come again. Together, we co-operators have led the way in protecting consumers and the environment. We have championed fairtrade and supported credit unions. We have won new rights for football supporters, and created a network of 800 co-op schools. And the work goes on to secure a legal and regulatory framework that will enable co-operatives to thrive and play a bigger role in our economy in the future.
Last May Co-operative Group members voted resoundingly to continue 100 years of partnership with the Co-operative party. Theirs was a vote for a more co-operative Britain. If you bank, shop or insure with the Co-operative Group you may be eligible to vote. Ballot papers will begin to arrive on Thursday 21 April so keep a look out and if you are able to vote please support motion 12. In the meantime please support the Keep it Co-op campaign by going to www.keepit.coop
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Jonathan Reynolds is Labour and Co-operative MP for Stalybridge and Hyde. He tweets @jreynoldsmp