How does it work? 

Under the terms of our electoral agreement, since 1927, you are able to stand for both the Labour & Co-operative Party at elections.  The majority of councils in the country now have Labour & Co-operative, who have secured the nomination of both parties to stand in a particular area.   

Step 1 - Join the programme

Whether you are just thinking about standing for council, or have already been selected, everyone needs to join the programme in order to get the Co-op Party nomination if you are selected and stand.

Step 2 - Take Part

The programme provides training and support throughout your journey from finding out what being a Councillor is all about, to how to run your campaign. None of it is mandatory, but it aims to help you on your journey.

Step 3 - Get the Co-op Party Nomination 

As part of the programme, if you are put on the Labour Party Panel or selected for a Labour seat or then your details will be forwarded to your local Co-op Party who make the decision about whether to endorse you.  If endorsed, you can officially call yourself a Labour & Co-operative Candidate, you can appear on the ballot paper as:  

and if elected, be officially known as a Labour & Co-operative Councillor.  

Step 4 - Get your nomination papers in 

Nearer to the election we will send you a pack, which if relevant will include your certificate to stand as a Co-op Party candidate. The only difference in paperwork, when standing for the Co-op Party is you put in two certificates with your nomination papers instead of one, and put your description as 'Labour & Co-operative'

Why should I stand for the Co-operative Party?  

There are many good reasons but many candidates join our programme for : 

• Public recognition of co-operative values 
• Support from your local Co-operative Party 
• Part of growing national network of Co-operative Councillor 
• Access to national campaigns and resources 

How can I stand for the Co-op Party?  

Under the terms of our electoral agreement, since 1927, you have been able to stand for both the Labour & Co-operative Party at elections.  

You must be a member of and selected by your local Labour Party in order to stand for election for the Co-op Party too. 

Who is eligible to join the programme? 

Every Co-op Party member is eligible to join the development programme, but in order to progress to be a Co-operative Party candidate, the current rules say candidates must have been in membership of the Party for nine months and a member of a recognised co-operative.  

However, local parties may waive these rules, particularly if they discourage some candidates such as young people, women and BAME members, or if there have not been local opportunities for members to participate. 

Under the terms of our electoral agreement with the Labour Party, Co-operative Party candidates must also be members of, and selected by their local Labour Party in order to stand for election. 

How do I become a Co-op Party candidate?  

As part of the programme, if selected for the Labour Party Panel or selected for a Labour seat then your details will be forward to your local Co-op Party who make the decision about whether to endorse you.  The national party will inform you of this decision by email and whether you can officially stand as a Labour & Co-operative Party candidate.  

What if I am standing in a ward alongside people who aren’t on the programme? 

The best thing is to sign them up, but if not, under our electoral agreement all the candidates on the ballot paper in a multi-member ward must have the same description i.e. all ‘Labour’ or all ‘Labour & Co-operative’. 

Candidates who have been endorsed as a Co-operative candidate but can’t have it on the ballot paper as their colleagues aren’t Co-operative Party candidates are called ‘supported’ candidates. 

Supported candidates can still receive support, and publicly state they are supported by the Co-operative Party, but can’t have the description on the ballot paper. Also, they can still refer to themselves as ‘Labour & Co-operative’ if elected. 

Financial Support  

Endorsement as a Labour & Co-operative candidate is separate to any decision about funding. The Party has limited resources, so any financial assistance must be directed to the election of Labour and Co-operative candidates with a clear commitment to support our aims and policies. 

The amount of financial support will depend on the budget set aside by the local Party or branch for this election.  

Council seats are up for election in England in 2023.

If you have applied for the programme in previous years, you need to apply again for 2023.