For immediate release

Commenting on Have Your Say Gareth Thomas MP, chair of the Co-operative Party said:

“Co-operatives – including the Co-operative Group – have always believed in a different way of doing business which puts people ahead of short-term profits for shareholders.  That is why they created the Co-operative Party almost 100 years ago to champion that vision. 

“At a time when trust in big business and politics is at an all time low it’s not surprising that people don’t like the idea of “big business” donating to political parties. But a Populus poll undertaken at the same time as ‘Have Your Say’ shows that in fact only 11% of the public think it is inappropriate for the Co-operative Group to make financial contributions to the Co-operative Party and more than double the number of people think it is appropriate for them to do so.” 

“Further, a substantial majority of the HYS respondents want the Co-operative Group to champion national issues.  Just as the Party and the Group have done – working together – for the last century.” 

On the AGM vote Gareth Thomas MP said:

“The Co-operative Party welcomes the opportunity for Co-op members to have an informed debate, based on a fair question, about the role politics can and should play in creating a Britain in which co-operative values shape our economy and our society.”

ENDS

For more information please contact Claire (c.mccarthy@party.coop 07702 512357) or Julianne j.marriott@party.coop 07976 821960

Notes to editors:

For some years active members of the Co-operative Group have voted on political contributions at the Half Yearly Meeting in the autumn.  The last time this happened was in 2013 when the vote was passed by a substantial majority.

Polling by Populus, commissioned by the Co-operative Party in April 2014, asked what people thought about the Co-operative group donating to the Co-operative Party.

Populous Question:

Co-operatives are formed and run by people who come together to meet common economic, social, and cultural needs. An example of a co-operative is the Co-operative Group which includes supermarkets and funeral services. The Co-operative Party is a political party that works to promote co-operatives and other forms of mutual, non-profit making companies in political and policy debates. The party is funded by its members, which include co-operatives including The Co-operative Group, and individuals. To what extent do you think it is appropriate or inappropriate for The Co-operative Group, as a member, to make financial contributions to the Co-operative party?”

• Base: All “Sample B” respondents (1,026)

Have Your Say asked respondents to agree or disagree with the statement “The Co-operative should champion national issues that affect people up and down the country?” (figure 6)