What is the Co-operative Party?

The Co-operative Party is a political party. We stand candidates at elections at all levels of government – including local councillors, metro mayors, MPs, and Members of Scottish and Welsh Parliaments. We have 41 MPs – making us the 4th largest party in the UK Parliament – and over 1,500 councillors all across Britain.

How are you related to Labour?

We’re an independent political party but for nearly 100 years, we have had an electoral pact with Labour. Together, we elect joint Labour & Co-operative representatives, giving our ideas influence where it matters – in Parliament, on councils, and in communities across the UK. You can be a member of both the Labour Party and the Co-operative Party.

What is a co-op?

Co-ops are businesses or organisations owned and run democratically by their members, not distant shareholders. That can mean workers owning their workplace, parents owning their nursery, or fans owning their football club. The co-op you’re probably most familiar with, the Co-op food stores, is owned by its customers.

Are you the same as the Co-op shop?

No, but the Co-op shops did play a role in founding our party over 100 years ago. Like the Labour Party was founded by the trade union movement, the Co-operative Party was founded by the co-operative movement – to help take co-op values like democratic ownership from the shopfloor to the floors of the Houses of Parliament.

What do you stand for?

We stand for power, ownership, and community. We believe people should have more control over their lives, from their workplaces and homes to their local services and economy. We campaign for policies that put ownership in people’s hands, give communities a stronger voice, and build a fairer, more democratic society.

Why should I join?

It’s in the name: we’re a co-op – owned and run democratically by our members. As a member, you can help shape our policies, vote in internal elections, get involved in local campaigns, and even stand for election as a Co-operative candidate. You can join now at party.coop/join