At a particularly important time to do so, I’m proud that this year our Party has gone from strength to strength.

We’ve secured vital successes throughout, and perhaps none more so than the sustained growth we have achieved across the country.

With more members than ever before, backed by tens of thousands of supporters, and buoyed by fantastic results from our largest ever number of candidates for local elections in May, we now have over 1,000 elected representatives.

This means we are uniquely equipped to take co-operative values, principles and campaigns into communities, town halls and parliaments throughout the UK. It’s a critical platform that allows us to do what we do best, and make a difference where it’s needed most.

On food security, household bills, community power, co-operative and community energy, fair tax, the growth of our sector and so much more, we have led from the front in providing co-operative solutions to the most pressing challenges we face, and put these into practice.

We’ve developed co-operative thinking in different policy areas, whilst feeding into important reports and commissions like Gordon’s Brown’s on the future of the UK to make sure our movement’s ideas are prominent.

In the Scottish, Welsh and Westminster Parliaments, we’ve continued to be vocal champions of our movement and ensured a strong co-operative voice at decision-making tables.

Co-operative parliamentarians have brought forward legislation to increase the size of the co-operative sector, for instance; worked to ensure Bills reflect the needs and interests of our movement; secured debates to raise matters of importance to us; pressed Ministers to do more for our movement; and provided leadership during turbulent times throughout.

And as more people struggle to put food on the table and heat their homes, this has never been more important.

So as we look ahead to 2023, where this situation will become even more difficult for so many, it’s vital we don’t rest on our laurels and continue this work in earnest.

Amongst other events we can look forward to significant local elections in May, and supporting our new Prospective Parliamentary Candidates for the next elections in Westminster which will give us the opportunity for further successes in the months and years to come.

As members, supporters, elected representatives, and Co-operative candidates for upcoming elections, we all have a vital role to play in doing so.

So, to round out 2022, I first say thank you to everyone for their work and efforts.

And I want to wish everyone a happy new year: one which we must welcome with renewed vigour and commitment to build on the successes of this year, and continue championing the difference our proud movement and Party can make to the very real challenges we face in the next.