The Co-operative Party was founded in 1917 by the co-operative movement – made up of customer-owned, employee-owned and community-owned organisations. They were determined to change how how our economy works, and who shares its rewards.
That relationship continues today, with Co-op supermarkets and other co-operatives continuing to support our party and campaign with us on crucial issues like ending food poverty, tackling tax avoidance, and promoting Fairtrade.
Democracy is a cornerstone of the co-operative model, so each year at their AGM, eligible members of the Co-op vote on whether to continue its partnership with the Co-operative Party.
The Co-operative Party, working with the Labour Party, want to build a Britain where wealth and power are shared – and we want to do that in proud partnership with our movement.
To help ensure that partnership continues and find out more about the Co-operative Party – sign up now to get updates on voting ahead of the AGM.
Soon, those of us who regularly shop with the Co-operative Group (‘the Co-op’) will once again be asked to vote on continuing the partnership with Co-operative Party.
For over 100 years, the Co-operative Party and the co-operative movement have worked in partnership to build a society where power and wealth are shared. We are the political voice of the co-operative movement, taking co-operative policies and principles from the shop floor to the places where laws are made.
We are your voice at decision-making tables across the country: supporting co-operative ideas like fairtrade, food justice and protection for shopworkers. But for that work to continue, we need your vote.
To keep this historic link between our movement and our Party and to continue the amazing successes we've achieved together, vote Yes to Motion 8 as part of the Co-op Group AGM before the deadline of 15th May.
Over a century ago, the individual co-operative societies that make up the UK co-op movement came together to establish the Co-operative Party as their political voice. Since then, these co-operatives have regularly consulted their members and voted on whether to continue their subscription to the Party.
Today, the largest of these co-operative societies is the Co-operative Group (‘the Co-op’), which sells food, funeral care and insurance across the country.
For nearly a decade, in keep with our movements democratic traditions, the Co-op Group has held a direct ballot of its members each year on whether to maintain the partnership. Every year, Co-op Group members have approved maintaining the link overwhelmingly.
The vote is taking place once again this year, and we are therefore asking for your support.
You are likely to be able to vote if:
You may not be able to vote if:
If you are unsure whether you are eligible to vote, visit https://membership.coop.co.uk/eligibility-to-vote (requires you to be logged in) or call 0800 0686 727.
Being a member of the Co-operative Party (with a purple membership card) does not automatically make you eligible in this vote – though many Party members will be eligible, and will receive a voting pack by post or email.
Eligible voters have been sent a voting pack by post or email.
The vast majority of ballots have been sent by email, with a small number sent by post. If you are eligible to vote (you can check your eligibility using the Co-op Group’s website here), search your email inbox for an email from vote@agm.coop.co.uk with the subject line “Action required: Have your say in Co-op's 2023 Annual General Meeting & Elections”. If you are eligible to vote but have not yet received your ballot, please email the Co-operative Group directly at agm@coop.co.uk.
If you sign up for our email updates, we will keep you up to date with how to cast your vote.
Since last year's vote, we have:
"The Co-op" is more than a shop: it's a critical part of a movement dedicated to changing the way power and wealth are shared.
From being the first supermarket to stock Fairtrade products to their brilliant work on tackling the climate emergency by pioneering the elimination of plastic waste, they show us a different, more ethical way to do business.
Your blue card is more than a way to earn rewards for yourself. As you shop, you are supporting causes in your local community. You are signalling your support for an ethical business that pays its fair share of tax. You are earning the right to make decisions about how the Co-op Group should use its power. You make the work we do possible.
Your card means you are part of a movement. You're not just a shopper. You're a pioneer.
Much like how the Labour Party was founded by the trade union movement, the Co-operative Party was founded by the co-operative movement to fight for our values in the places where decisions are taken and laws are made.
Because know that co‑operative values don't stop at the shopfront. The principles that lie behind successful co‑operatives – democratic control by customers and workers, and a fair share of the wealth we create together – ought to extend to the wider economy and our society.
That's why for over 90 years, the Labour Party and the Co-operative Party have worked together and stood joint candidates. Today, there are 26 Labour & Co-operative MPs alongside over 1,500 Labour & Co-operative other elected representatives right across the country, at every level of government.
Don't forget: to help ensure that history partnership between our Party and our movement continues and find out more about the Co-op Party – sign up now to get updates from the co-operative movement.
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