Blog – Co-operative Party

Fair Tax Week 2025

Labour & Co-op-led local councils has shown what’s possible in local government. Across the UK, councils have stepped up by signing the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration.

Celebrating 250 Years of Building Societies

In the run up to the 2026 Scottish Parliament election I am sure that the Scottish Co-operative Party will work hard to find policy solutions which support mutual financial institutions such as building societies and credit unions. Solutions which support financial institutions which they people own as members.

How community ownership can transform Sheffield

Community Right to Buy, High Street Rental Auctions, and the wider reforms offered by the Devolution White Paper, will allow councils like ours to build on this thread further, by giving communities control over their surroundings.

How Co-operation is Shaping Falmouth

Our connection with local people means we are in touch with what they want and expect from the council and is the reason we have stepped up to take on services threatened with closure.

Colin Smyth MSP and representatives from Scottish Fair Trade holding a banner that says Fair Trade Nation ScotlandScotland

Fair trade nation status is more than a title; it is a commitment to social justice, sustainability and global solidarity

There was a debate in the Scottish Parliament this week to mark Scotland retaining its status as a Fair Trade Nation. Colin Smyth MSP is the Convener of the Cross-Party group on Fair Trade in the Scottish Parliament and shares his thoughts on this award for Scotland and the importance of the wider co-operative movement to Fairtrade.