Co-operative Party Experience

I am a Co-op party member and town councillor in Southborough Kent. I attended the recent London conference as a delegate and have stood several times as a local government candidate in Tunbridge Wells.

Co-operative Movement Experience

I am the social media co-ordinator for my local Co-op party branch in Maidstone and West Kent.

I am currently active in the community in trying to save access to our common lands and open spaces, keeping a local snooker hall open which used to be a meeting place for the working class and friendly societies, and local radio stations.

Governance Experience

I am a past secondary school governor and an active trustee of West Kent Radio station, which is run as a charity.

I am a committee member of TOC H hall in High Brooms, a local community hall where I am a councillor. This was saved from closure for the local community as a meeting place.

Election Statement

I am an older disabled gay man and the LGBTQ and media officer and vice chair of Tunbridge Wells CLP. I am also active with Tunbridge Wells pride, my local Co-op party branch, and West Kent Access group.

I campaign on issues such as greater accessibility at my local High Brooms railway
stations, successfully starting new bus services, and keeping public toilets open and
making them more accessible for all users

Co-operative Party Experience

I am an active member of the Cooperative Party and am standing in the 2026 local elections as a Cooperative candidate. Having been elected for the last 5 years, initially only as a Labour Councillor, I now sit amongst the largest ever group of Cooperative Councillors on City of Wolverhampton Council.

I have built and maintained positive relationships with key members of the branch and played an active part of Cooperative life on the Council, reporting back, and maintaining contact.

Co-operative Movement Experience

The cooperative movement has a long history and tradition in Wolverhampton, as in many industrial towns and cities. During my time elected to the City Council, with much of this time spent as a Labour Coop representative, I have built positive relations with the coops in the city, such as the credit union, alongside organisations supported by the cooperative moment just as the City Fairtrade Partnership. In doing so, I have helped these organisations build the bridges they need to formal governance structures, supporting their long-term stability.

Governance Experience

I have significant governance experience, having served as a Labour and Cooperative Councillor, and sitting on the City’s Cabinet. I have spent time as a school governor, as well as being the Chair of the advisory board for adult education. Having completed a PhD, I have spent expensive time on project governance, alongside building the necessary relationships with ethics governance teams. This role required me to also perform governance functions on international projects, with participants from the USA, UK, and EU.

Election Statement

Over the last few years, I have been a teacher, completed a PhD, and sat on my city council as a councillor, and a cabinet member. However, most importantly, I have been dedicated both to the cooperative movement, and to the needs of the LGBT community. I want to take this a step further, by standing for election to the NEC of the Co-operative Party.

Having grown up in a working-class household, in a traditional community, I know intimately the experiences and difficulties facing LGBTQ+ people around the country. I’ve dedicated my career to supporting our community. As a teacher, I ran an open door policy, and ensured diverse histories were baked into my curriculum. As a Councillor I have supported Wolverhampton Pride, an event which would never happen without public support. And during my Masters and PhD I have researched the experiences of the queer identity within international politics.

At my trade union’s biennial conference, I seconded a motion supporting gender recognition in the workplace, and I am due to represent the union again later this year in the TUC LGBT+ Conference. These are the experiences I want to bring to the Co-Operative Party NEC. Through policy, negotiation, and determination, I have changed LGBTQ+ lives around my city, and I want to bring this experience, representing my community, to a body that has the power to consensually build towards meaningful change. Queer voices must be at the heart of the Co-Operative movement, and I want to be a strong champion.

Co-operative Party Experience

Since joining our Party, I have continuously been an active member. Running stalls for the Party at Wirral Pride and North West Labour Regional Conference. I am currently Secretary of the LGBTQ+ Party Council and Vice-Chair of North West North Party Council and Wirral Branch. I’ve previously been a Delegate on behalf of our Party to Regional Conferences and spoke in support of CWU motion on regulation of AI in the workplace.

I have also founded a co-operative society at University that includes education on
and discussion of our Party.

Co-operative Movement Experience

I'm an active member of Central’s (now OurCo-op) Membership and Community Council, where I organised the first Help for Heroes Coffee Mornings on the Wirral at the Eastham Co-op store. I've attended both Co-operative Party Conference and Co-op Congress. I have supported and hosted community initiatives across the North West, including member engagement stalls, “Get to Know Your Co-op” events, and the Co-op Toy Appeal. As Secretary of the LGBTQ+ Network, I am collaborating with committee members to advance LGBTQ+ equality through the power and principles of the co-operative movement.

Governance Experience

I've held multiple governance and representative roles. As President of a newly established university co-operative society, I founded and led the organisation, developing its structure and strategic direction. I served on the Student Advisory Board in college, where I successfully campaigned to update disability signage to recognise hidden disabilities and promote greater awareness. I also contributed to college and university Student Advisory Panels focused on improving inclusion and
student experience. As a University Course Representative, I represented student feedback at faculty level.

I am also currently taking modules at university that cover corporate governance and
organisational behaviour.

Election Statement

Since joining our Party, I have been an active and committed campaigner, representing us at Pride. Outside of the Party I have championed equality. At college I created a gender expression wardrobe where students could come and borrow clothes that allowed them to express themselves safely when they may not be able to at home. At university I am currently campaigning for students to be able to easily change their preferred name on the student portal to make social transitioning
easier.

I want to see the equalities networks develop from a constitutionally mandated committee to an active and thriving network, a resource that can help shape policy and support the Party, events held by the equalities networks such as pride events should be planned further in advance and widely publicised.

Speaking as Secretary of our Network, I feel ordinary members are locked out of our network. I want you to know what me and the rest of the committee are up to and how you can shape it.

If elected I promise to:
• Ensure to regularly engage with you and ensure you know what the NEC and
the Network committee is up to.
• Work to amend the current rules to increase the role of the equalities
networks within Party structures.
• Fight to ensure our Party maintains it's inclusive equalities networks, most
importantly standing up for trans members like myself.
• Ensure our Party works with our sister Party and continues for fight for
LGBTQ+ rights.

I hope for your support.

Co-operative Party Experience

As a member of the Co-operative Party for the past few years, I've consistently championed the values of shared ownership and social responsibility within my local community. While my initial period of membership focused on foundational support and ideological alignment, I am now energised to transition into a much more proactive role. My commitment to the co-operative movement remains steadfast, and I am eager to leverage my experience as an advocate of LGBT rights to help strengthen the party. I am seeking election to the NEC to turn my dedication into
action, ensuring our principles drive meaningful policy change.

Co-operative Movement Experience

In my time as a member, I’ve focused on how co-operative models provide practical solutions to the systemic challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. I am a firm advocate for housing co-ops as a way to build economic resilience for marginalised groups. I also champion member-owned finance and worker co-operatives as essential tools for financial independence.

My goal is to ensure the movement’s governance reflects these needs, strengthening the link between co-operative principles and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and security.

Governance Experience

I have extensive experience in ensuring organisations run smoothly and fairly. As Secretary for Witney CLP, I manage our day-to-day administration, follow strict rules, and keep our local party organised.

As a local Councillor, I oversee public budgets and make decisions that affect our entire community. My role as Trans Officer for LGBT Labour has also given me a seat at the table to advocate for better policies at a national level. Together, these roles have taught me how to handle complex governance, follow procedures, and represent people effectively on a national level.

Election Statement

I’m Georgia (she/her), and I’m seeking your support to serve as your LGBTQ+ representative on the National Executive Committee.

Having been a member for several years, I believe the Co-operative Party is uniquely positioned to offer the practical, values-led solutions our community needs. My candidacy is built on a deep commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and a desire to ensure our community has a powerful, experienced voice at the heart of our party’s governance.

As Trans Officer for LGBT Labour, I have fought at the national level for our representation, ensuring the voices of our most marginalised members reach the halls of Westminster. I have stood firm in the face of significant backlash, and I will bring that same resilience to the NEC. My advocacy is rooted in the Co-operative principle of collective action; I know that we are strongest when we organise together against systemic challenges.

LGBT members deserve genuine influence. As your representative, I will work to cement the Co-operative Party as a proudly inclusive, active leader in the fight for our rights. I hope I can count on your support.

Co-operative Party Experience

I'm a Labour and Co-operative Party councillor on Canterbury City Council, having been elected in 2023. Before that, I stood as a Labour and Co-operative candidate in the Canterbury North division for the Kent County Council elections in 2021.

I was formerly secretary of the Lewisham branch Co-operative party between 2017 and 2019. I have been an active member of the Canterbury, Swale and Ashford branch and its predecessor since relocating to Kent in 2019.

Co-operative Movement Experience

I am a member of the Co-Op Group.

I grew up with the Co-op, with some of my earliest memories are of my mum and aunt helping out with the 'divi' for the East of England Co-operative Society. As part of a councillor working group for the local plan in Canterbury I have championed co-operative housing solutions to meet the needs of residents into the future. I would love to do more, and find more co-operators to work with.

Governance Experience

I was elected chair of Canterbury Constituency Labour Party between 2020 and 2023. I served on the Regional Executive Committee for Labour South East between 2021 and 2025 as a constituency party representative.

I have also been elected as LGBT+ officer for Lewisham Deptford Labour Party as well as branch secretary for Evelyn branch Labour Party within that CLP, and have undertaken various other voluntary roles within the Labour Party.

Election Statement

The Co-operative Party's commitment to equality has never been more relevant at a time when all parties of the left, co-operators, and trade unions within the Labour movement need to stand together against the threat of the far-right.

I have direct experience of what happens when alliances fracture within the Labour movement, and have felt the pain and the anguish when people feel let down and when our politics is not as inclusive as it should be. Smart, focused campaigns within our movement have never been more important, as they were when I campaigned against Kent County Council’s abhorrent version of Section 28 in the early 2000s. Fast forward 20 years, I find myself at a counter-protest against hard-right fascists, and sometimes it feels like progress has been stilted.

I'm very proud to be putting myself forward as LGBTQ+ representative on our NEC and can bring a lot of experience from my background as an activist, campaigner and as a councillor. I very much look forward to representing your views and interests as co-operators, wherever you are in our party.

I would love to do more, and find more co-operators to work with. The Green Party may be threatening our natural space on the left but as co-operators we have a responsibility not to let that happen

Co-operative Party Experience

I’ve been an active campaigner for the Co-operative Party since I first joined the Labour Party in 2014 – even before I joined the Co-operative Party in 2017.

I was a Labour and Co-operative Councillor in Nottingham City Council between 2019-23.

I work hard to engage with Co-operative Party members in my role as Branch Secretary for Nottingham, Gedling and Rushcliffe and as Secretary of the Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Erewash Party Council.

I have recently become Chair of the Party's LGBTQ+ network committee.

Co-operative Movement Experience

I am a member of two retail co-operatives.

Governance Experience

I have experience of governance responsibilities in a number of roles, particularly from my time as an elected Councillor in Nottingham City, including as a council-nominated non-executive director of Nottingham City Transport (2019-2023).

Election Statement

I’ve been an active campaigner for the Co-operative Party since I first joined the Labour Party in 2014 – even before I joined the Co-operative Party in 2017.

I was a Labour and Co-operative Councillor in Nottingham City Council between 2019-23. I work hard to engage with Co-operative Party members in my role as Branch Secretary for Nottingham, Gedling and Rushcliffe and as Secretary of the Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Erewash Party Council.

I have recently become Chair of the Party's LGBTQ+ network committee. As an NEC representative I would endeavour to provide a strong link between LGBTQ+ network members and the NEC, as well as drawing on my wider skills and experience to inform and support the wider development of the Party’s activities, policies and campaigns