As co-operators, our values don’t stop at the shopfront. They extend to changing our communities, our society and our economy for the better. We have always had a vision of a better, fairer society. This is at the heart of the ‘co-operative difference’. As President of the East of England Co-operative, I am clear that our long-standing subscription to the Co-operative Party is one of the ways our Society seeks to achieve that vision.

There is a saying that decisions are made by those who turn up. It was understanding that fact that led delegates to the Co-operative Union in 1917 to vote to seek direct political representation in Parliament – a decision which led to the creation of the Co-operative Party. They knew our movement needed a political voice to defend and promote co-operation.

We still need that voice today. That is why I am pleased that this weekend the members who attended our AGM once again voted to maintain our relationship with the Co-operative Party; and why we will again use our votes at the Co-operative Group AGM in a few weeks time to support their continued subscription to the Party as well.

Whether making the case for co-operatives as a better way of doing business; or for credit unions, community energy, football supporters trusts, or co-operative housing the Party ensures that our movement has a voice. Not just lobbying from the sidelines, but in the rooms where decisions are made.

As a passionate co-operator I believe that co-operatives can and should play a bigger role in our society and our economy. The Co-operative Party and its elected representatives, working with elected representatives from other Parties, the wider movement and bodies like Co-ops UK, will play a key role creating an environment in which this growth and resurgence can take place.

That is why I hope that members of the Co-operative Group – Britain’s biggest co-operative – will vote to continue to be a part of it by supporting Motion 12 on the AGM voting paper. As the Co-operative Group Board and National Members Council have recognised, this is a partnership that has achieved so much but there is important work still to do.

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