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The next General Election could be the biggest opportunity for change in a generation. As our country deals with the damage of 13 years of Conservative government, we have the chance to show how together, our movement can build a better Britain.

That’s why Ambition for Change: Co-operative Party Annual Conference 2023 will step right into the heart of our priorities for the next Labour and Co-operative government to deliver change created everywhere, by everyone, for everyone.

After the success of our previous online annual conferences, we will now be alternating between an in-person and online conference each year – and this September, we'll be bringing you the best of our movement straight to your laptop, tablet or phone.

Whether you’re a well-seasoned Conference veteran or a first-time attendee, there’s no better place to come together and get general election ready.

This year, our Annual Conference main weekend will take place on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September. Register now to get the full programme when it lands!

Announced Speakers

ATC_Ed

Ed Miliband MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero

ATC_Jim

Jim McMahon MP

Chair of the Co-operative Party

ATC_Anneliese

Anneliese Dodds MP

Chair of the Labour Party

ATC_Jonny

Jonathan Reynolds MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade

ATC_Vaughan

Vaughan Gething MS

Minister for Economy of Wales

ATC_Sarah

Sarah Boyack MSP

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy, and Just Transition, Scotland

ATC_Miatta

Miatta Fahnbulleh

Economist and Labour & Co-operative Parliamentary Candidate for Camberwell and Peckham

ATC_Rhoda

Rhoda Grant MSP

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Scotland

With more to come...

Programme

  • Mon 18 – Fri 22 SepMon 18 – Fri 22 Sep
  • Saturday 23 SeptemberSat 23 Sep
  • Sunday 24 SeptemberSun 11 Sep
  • Mon 25 - Fri 29 SepMon 25 - Fri 29 Sep
Monday 18 September

17.45: CAC Chair’s Report

with Theresa Vaughan

18.00: Westminster Parliamentary report, with:

Lord Kennedy of Southwark
Seema Malhotra MP
... and further speakers to be announced
Chair – Rob Bates, Political and Parliamentary Officer

Register for Zoom here

Tuesday 19 September

18.30: Scottish Parliamentary report, with:
Claire Baker MSP
Pauline McNeill MSP
Colin Smyth MSP
Richard McCready

Register for Zoom here

Thursday 21 September

18.30: Senedd report, with:
Huw Irranca-Davies MS
... and further speakers to be announced

Register for Zoom here

Saturday 23 September, 10am-2pm

Sessions livestreamed to Co-operative Party website, YouTube & Facebook including:

Chair's Welcome: Jim McMahon MP in conversation with Anneliese Dodds MP 

Community Energy, with speakers including:

  • Ed Miliband MP, Shadow Secretary
  • Emma Foody, Assistant General Secretary, Co-operative Party
  • Emma Bridge, CEO Community Energy England
  • Sarah Boyack MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy, and Just Transition, Scotland

Co-operative Growth, with speakers including:

  • Jonathan Reynolds MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
  • Vaughan Gething MS, Minister for the Economy, Wales
  • Miatta Fahnbulleh, Economist and Labour & Co-operative Candidate for Camberwell & Peckham

Local Ownership, with speakers including:

  • Rhoda Grant MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Scotland
  • Jim McMahon MP, Chair of the Co-operative Party
  • Tim Davies-Pugh, CEO Power to Change

 

Sunday 24 September, 10am-2pm

Sessions held on Zoom (Register here) including:

Introduction to Day 2

  • Ruth Hall, Vice Chair Co-operative Party NEC

CAC Chair’s Report (if required) , with:

  • Theresa Vaughan

Co-operative campaigning for Social Justice

  • Niall Cooper, Your Local Pantry
  • Emma Back, Equal Care Co-operative
  • Paul Gerrard, the Co-operative Group
  • Chair: Ruth Hall, Vice-Chair NEC

Co-operative campaigning for a Fairer Economy: with:

  • Mary Patel, Fair Tax Foundation
  • Sheenagh Young, South Manchester Credit Union
  • Fran Boait, Positive Money
  • Chair: Ruth Hall, Vice-Chair NEC

Housing Policy debate, with:

  • Chair – Abigail Marshall-Katung, Chair NEC Policy Sub
  • Joe Fortune, General Secretary Co-operative Party

Putting Equality at the Heart of Co-operation: report on the 9 Sept Conference of the Party’s member-led networks, with

  • Vince Barry-Stanners

Conference business

  • Chair - Jim McMahon MP, Chair of Co-operative Party
  • Rule Change
  • Membership Subscription for 2024
  • Organisational Motions – no motions received in order
  • Emergency motions – to be advised on Saturday evening
  • CAC Election – no nominations received. Note CAC members will continue their role in 2024 for an additional year (pending a rule change)

Policy response, with:

  • Abigail Marshall-Katung, Chair NEC Policy Sub

Thanks and Conference close

  • Abigail Marshall-Katung, Chair NEC Policy Sub
Mon 25 Sept, 18.00

Youth Network (tbc)

On Zoom: Join Here 

Tues 26 Sept, 18.00

Women’s Network

On Zoom: Join Here  

Wed 27 Sept, 18.00

LGBTQ+ Co-operators (tbc)

On Zoom: Join Here  

Thur 28 Sept, 18.00

BAME Co-operators

On Zoom: Join Here  

Fri 29 Sept, 18.00

(dis)Ability Network

On Zoom: Join Here  

All times are subject to change.

Conference information

Promoted by Joe Fortune on behalf of the Co-operative Party, both at Unit 13, 83 Crampton Street, London, SE17 3BQ, United Kingdom.Co-operative Party Limited is a registered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Registered no. 30027R

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