It has been a bit of rollercoaster ride being general secretary of the Co-operative party over the last three years. The troubles at the Co-operative Bank, the revelations about Paul Flowers and the resulting convulsions within the Co-operative Group have not been enjoyable to watch for those of us with a deep-seated belief in the intrinsic value and significance in the co-operative model. The cataclysmic defeat at the election including the loss of some of the Labour and Co-operative party’s most committed advocates like Ed Balls, Cathy Jamieson, Andy Sawford and Tom Greatrex is deeply felt.
However, we ending my period as general secretary on a high note. The successful Keep it Co-op campaign and resulting vote at the Co-operative Group AGM in mid-May, reaffirming the relationship between the Co-operative party and the largest co-operative in Britain, opens an exciting new chapter in our historic partnership. One of the things that was most heartening for me about the campaign was the way in which organisations and individuals from across the co-operative and labour movements came together to make the case for keeping the Co-op involved in our common endeavour to make Britain a fairer county where power and wealth are more equally shared. I was also been reminded during the campaign, and indeed throughout my tenure, of the ability of the co-operative ideal to inspire people but also of the extraordinary well of affection and commitment so many people have to ‘their Co-op’.
Co-operative businesses – like all businesses – can make mistakes but Britain’s growing co-operative sector is a living example that there is another, more ethical, more accountable and more productive way of doing business. In the weeks since our electoral defeat many people have said that Labour needs to be more pro-business. I firmly hope and believe that the Co-operative party and the co-operative movement have something essential to contribute to that debate. The Co-operative party is not just a pro-business party, it is a party of businesses – formed as we were by a movement that today runs successful businesses in sectors as diverse as agriculture, social care and funeral services. Co-operative and employee-owned businesses are less likely to fail and more productive than other types of business. At their best, as a direct result of their ownership structure they better harness the commitment and capacity of their staff and customers and innovate, grown and investing their communities. The Labour party should draw on this knowledge and expertise in the years ahead as it develops its vision for the future.
For the Co-operative party, the coming years will be about building on the success of the Keep it Co-op campaign working with our growing membership and our legion of new supporters. We will be actively making the case for co-operation at all levels, with a particular emphasis on local government, given the significant devolution agenda. The Co-operative party has always been a passionate champion for devolution and the principle of subsidiarity because we believe in the fundamental power of people to work together to find solutions and make things happen, themselves. But we also want to be part of shaping the agenda for how greater powers should be utilised including being handed down from new regional institutions to local government, communities and people.
So, if you are a local councillor who wants to work to bring co-operative values to what you are doing, or find out more about the work of Co-operative councillors across the country join the Co-operative party’s councillors’ network by emailing us. Our party conference in London on 19 and 20 September will be launchpad for this work, so please come along and contribute to our thinking and our plans going forward.
It has been a real privilege to lead such an important organisation which is part of such an inspiring movement. I can wholeheartedly recommend this role to anyone considering applying.
And thank you to so many of you who helped ensure that it is an organisation with a bright future. Please do come and celebrate that success and the future with us at Co-op party conference.
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Karin Christiansen is general secretary of the Co-operative party