cooperative councils Articles

A few years ago I wrote about the evolving role of backbench councillors as community leaders. Here in Lambeth I hoped that the cooperative council, model which we were embarking on, would provide space for councillors to take on a greater place shaping role in their...

If we are honest the last 12 months have not been great for advocates of cooperation. The debacles at the Co-operative Group and Bank have cast doubt on the value that cooperative principles bring to the lives of ordinary families. It is sadly part of a wider process...

Regular readers of Progress will know I have had a few run-ins with them about their approach to trades unions. In particular I do despair of their tendency to conflate leftwing politics with working-class values and use this as a broadbush to caricature trades union...

Public services are at a turning point. The money’s run out just as our ageing population and rising unemployment mean there is more demand for social support than ever before. We need to find ways to do different for less, because, if we don’t, those people who need...