Scottish Labour launched their Local Election Manifesto at New Lanark.  It was fitting that it was launched at the iconic co-operative venue since the manifesto is full of co-operative ideas.

Nearly two hundred years ago Robert Owen started some of the thinking that has led to our world-wide co-operative movement from his base at New Lanark.  Anas Sarwar is trying to update those ideas to provide co-operative solutions in the context of 2022.

The manifesto recognises that there is a cost-of-living crisis at the moment.  Building on our People’s Bus and People’s Scotrail ideas the manifesto proposes to halve the cost of rail fares for three months and to use the powers of the 2019 Transport Act to cap the price of a single bus journey at £1.80.

The manifesto also supports our long-standing campaign to support the Right to Food, giving everyone in Scotland access to good affordable, nutritious and culturally suitable food.

Scottish Labour recognises that our High Streets and town centres are under threat.  Like the Co-operative Party they recognise that there is a need to level the playing field between bricks and mortar retail and big online retailers.

Scottish Labour is supporting Community Wealth Building as promoted by many Co-operative Party councillors most notably in North Ayrshire.  As part of that policy Scottish Labour recognises the need to support credit unions and co-operatives to make a difference in our communities.

Climate change is a huge challenge to all of our communities, so it was really good to see Scottish Labour acknowledge the important role that local, renewable energy co-operatives can make in the battle against the climate emergency.

There are a record number of Scottish Co-operative Party candidates in this election working hard to put forward co-operative ideas like these in their local communities.