23rd March 2020 It’s time for us all to do what we can Cllr Kemi Akinola CEO/MD of Be Enriched and Brixton People's Kitchen, and Labour Councillor in Wandsworth We’ve all being asked to keep our distance from each other, but it’s possible to be more together whilst staying apart.
20th March 2020 Social care will be on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis Emma Hoddinott Local Government Officer Our movement provides answers where there is need, and social care is no exception; there are already practical examples of a more caring system that values the care users and carers.
19th March 2020 Coop’d up at home? 6 tips to be a better shopper during coronavirus Ian Hayes Policy Intern The outbreak of Covid-19 has shown the world what we in the co-operative sector already know - that our retail workers are heroes. Through thick and thin, they continue to go to work on tills, stocking shelves and making deliveries - ensuring we are clothed, fed and safe. it isn't an easy job, especially in the current circumstances. In the spirit of co-operation, we can make sure we're making small changes to our daily lives to make sure we don't make their job harder.
14th March 2020 Now more than ever we need an economy that shares its rewards more fairly – but this week’s budget doesn’t deliver Anneliese Dodds Shadow Chancellor We enter this crisis with an economy ill prepared - not only did this week's budget fail to repair a decade of austerity, it was a missed opportunity to reshape our economy for the better.
13th March 2020 Coronavirus is giving us all a taste of food insecurity Clara Widdison Programme Manager for Kitchen Social at the Mayor's Fund for London For most of us in the UK, Coronavirus has elicited the first genuine concerns about our ability to feed ourselves and our families. But for many families, food insecurity is an every day experience.
11th March 2020 If this is genuinely a levelling-up budget, then business rate reform must be at the top of the agenda Jim McMahon Chair of the Co-operative Party Parliamentary Group and Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Town centres are the beating heart of communities - but they are struggling to survive, especially in our most deprived neighbourhoods. Business rate reform is critical to save the sector and support our town centres.
10th March 2020 Now more than ever, the Chancellor should learn lessons from the co-operative sector Jonathan Reynolds Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Co-operation offers an antidote to many of the economy's failings, from poor productivity to corporate tax avoidance - so this budget should learn the lessons offered by the co-operative sector.
6th March 2020 It’s hard for women in politics – and we on the left can’t afford to be complacent Kate Osamor Labour & Co-operative MP for Edmonton We are told that the has never been a better time to be a woman in politics – but if this is true, why are we still so underrepresented at every level?
5th March 2020 As today’s report on shopworker abuse shows, violence and threats are #NotPartOfTheJob Ian Hayes Policy Intern Harassment, violence and abuse for performing your job? A new report out today shows that this is the reality that 424 shop workers on average have to face each and every day.
4th March 2020 Co-operative Party Assembly Group backs #SheDeserves campaign for Living Wages and Fair Trade Huw Irranca-Davies Chair of the National Assembly for Wales Co-operative Group / Grwp Cydweithredol Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru Wales was the first in the world to become a Fair Trade Nation, and we will continue to work with women producers until they get what #SheDeserves.
4th March 2020 I’ve seen the difference Fairtrade can make – but that progress is under threat. Preet Gill Labour & Co-operative MP for Birmingham Edgbaston and Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Fairtrade Fortnight should be a time to celebrate the success of just trade – but the potential closure of DFID and the Government’s post-Brexit trade agreements threaten to open countries up to more exploitation.
27th February 2020 Time to invest in our local communities Sarah Boyack MSP It is time for a fair deal for local government that will allow councils to provide the vital services that communities badly need.
27th February 2020 Not another quango – Consumer Scotland must empower consumers Jackie Baillie Member of the Scottish Parliament For a body dealing with consumer issues, it is important that consumers are represented.
21st February 2020 Is commonhold the answer to leaseholders trapped by unsafe cladding? Dermot Mckibbin Housing activist and Co-operative Party member Nine in ten private blocks with Grenfell-style cladding are still covered in cladding - meaning leaseholders are stuck in unsafe homes with significant bills. These voters need Labour - work with the Co-operative Party on leasehold reform and commonhold tenure are a good start.
6th February 2020 Scottish Co-op MSPs challenge the Scottish Government to stop the cuts to our communities Rhoda Grant MSP MSP for Highlands and Islands Sarah Boyack MSP It is high time that the SNP Government provided councils with the resources that they need and bring an end to the age of austerity in our councils.
5th February 2020 How will new Scottish National Investment Bank support co-ops? Claudia Beamish MSP for South Scotland and Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change It is important that co-operatives and mutually owned businesses are recognised and encouraged through the Scottish National Investment Bank.
30th January 2020 A Co-operative Manifesto for London Ria Bernard Volunteer Co-ordinator, Co-operative Party Women's Network Joe Simpson Co-operative Party Representative to London Labour Regional Board Our first chance to bounce back after the General Election is a resounding win in the GLA elections - so we are engaging with Sadiq’s team to make sure we have an ambitious manifesto to help make that happen. And we're clear that it’s not just what you do, it’s the way that you do it.
30th January 2020 The 2020 Local Elections are a challenge and an opportunity Joe Fortune General Secretary
23rd January 2020 To get our railways back on track we need democratic public ownership Robin Wilde Communications Officer Not even a month into a new decade, two more of Britain's railway operators are in trouble. The Government's short term nationalisation plans aren't the answer: only democratic public ownership will create accountable railways run for the benefit of passengers and staff.
16th January 2020 Now we’re (sausage) rolling: Greggs shares its profits Ian Hayes Policy Intern Greggs, the high street baker renowned for steak bakes and sending Piers Morgan into a rage over vegetable-based flakey pastry, announced last week they were sharing their better than expected profits with their workforce.
14th January 2020 What is in it for co-operators? Joe Fortune General Secretary Today we have written to all the Labour Leadership and Deputy Leadership contenders with a simple question: ‘why should co-operators give you their support?’ We look forward to being able to share their answers to our members and supporters.
21st December 2019 It’s time for a People’s ScotRail Neil Bibby An ownership model which puts maximising shareholder benefit first has been shown to be a poor deal for the travelling public in Scotland.
19th December 2019 A co-operative alternative to the Queen’s Speech Rob Bates Political and Parliamentary Officer Today's Queen's Speech was a missed opportunity to adopt co-operative solutions. Here are some of the priorities we would have liked to have seen included.
19th December 2019 Co-operative Party Disciplinary Committee elections open Karen Wilkie Deputy General Secretary & Company Board Secretary The current term of the Co-operative Party’s Disciplinary Committee (CPDC) finishes in May and we are now seeking new members for 2020-23.
19th December 2019 Nominations to the NEC now open Karen Wilkie Deputy General Secretary & Company Board Secretary Could you help steer our Party though the next three years to 2023? Nominations are now open for elections to the Co-operative Party’s NEC, to take office for from June 2020.
17th December 2019 People Powered Climate Action Tom Hayes Oxford City Councillor for St. Clement's Ward Truly, there isn’t a problem facing local government today to which there isn’t a co-operative solution. That’s as much the reality for our climate crisis, which councils are increasingly recognising, as it is for anything else we councillors are facing.
26th November 2019 A vote for Scottish Labour & Co-op candidates is a vote to Build a Fairer Scotland Paul Sweeney Former MP for Glasgow North East I am a co-operator and I want Scotland to be a place where wealth and power are shared.