Vote Yes to Motion 8 to continue the partnership between the Co-op Group and the Co-op Party – Co-operative Party

Vote to continue the partnership between
the Co-op Group and the Co-op Party

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The Co-operative Party was founded in 1917 by the co-operative movement – made up of customer-owned, employee-owned and community-owned organisations. They were determined to change how how our economy works, and who shares its rewards.

That relationship continues today, with Co-op shops and other member-owned organisations continuing to support our party and campaign with us on crucial issues like ending food poverty, tackling tax avoidance, and promoting Fairtrade.

Democracy is a cornerstone of the co-operative model, so each year at their AGM, eligible members of the Co-op Group vote on whether to continue its partnership with the Co-operative Party. If you shop at a Co-op with a blue membership card, you may be eligible to vote.

The Co-operative Party, working with the Labour Party, want to build a Britain where wealth and power are shared – and we want to do that in proud partnership with our movement.

Vote Yes to Motion 8 to ensure our work continues.

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Why am I being asked to vote?

Over a century ago, the individual co-operative societies that make up the UK co-op movement came together to establish the Co-operative Party as their political voice. Since then, these co-operatives have regularly consulted their members and voted on whether to continue their subscription to the Party.

Today, the largest of these co-operative societies is the Co-operative Group (‘the Co-op’), which sells food, funeral care and insurance across the country.

For nearly a decade, in keep with our movements democratic traditions, the Co-op Group has held a direct ballot of its members each year on whether to maintain the partnership. Every year, Co-op Group members have approved maintaining the link overwhelmingly.

The vote is taking place once again this year, and we are therefore asking for your support.

Who is eligible to vote?

You are likely to be able to vote if:

  • You shop regularly at a Co-operative Group store (with a blue membership card) and spent over £100 using your membership card in 2024.
  • You have an insurance or funeralcare plan with the Co-op.

You may not be able to vote if:

  • You have spent less than £100 at the Co-op in the past calendar year, or have not used your blue membership card.
  • You are a member of an independent Co-operative society (such as Scotmid or Central England)

If you are unsure whether you are eligible to vote, visit https://membership.coop.co.uk/eligibility-to-vote (requires you to be logged in) or call 0800 0686 727.

Being a member of the Co-operative Party (with a purple membership card) does not automatically make you eligible in this vote – though many Party members will be eligible, and will receive a voting pack by post or email.

How do I vote?

Eligible voters have been sent a voting pack by post or email. You can also vote using the Co-op app.

  • If the Co-op has a valid email address on record for you, you will receive a link to vote securely online.
  • For everyone else, watch out for an AGM pack that will arrive by post.
  • To vote by app, simply go to the Discover tab on the Co-op App and scroll to "Vote in the Co-op 2025 AGM".

The vast majority of ballots have been sent by email, with a small number sent by post. If you are eligible to vote (you can check your eligibility using the Co-op Group’s website here), search your email inbox for an email from vote@agm.coop.co.uk with the subject line “Action required: It’s time to have your say”. If you are eligible to vote but have not yet received your ballot, please email the Co-operative Group directly at agm@coop.co.uk.

If you sign up for our email updates, we will keep you up to date with how to cast your vote.

Soon, those of us who regularly shop with the Co-operative Group (‘the Co-op’) will once again be asked to vote on continuing the partnership with Co-operative Party.

For over 100 years, the Co-operative Party and the co-operative movement have worked in partnership to build a society where power and wealth are shared. We are the political voice of the co-operative movement, taking co-operative policies and principles from the shop floor to the places where laws are made.

We are your voice at decision-making tables across the country: supporting co-operative ideas like fairtrade, food justice and protection for shopworkers. But for that work to continue, we need your vote.

To keep this historic link between our movement and our Party and to continue the amazing successes we've achieved together, vote Yes to Motion 8 as part of the Co-op Group AGM before the deadline of 12th May.

You’re not just a shopper.
You’re a pioneer.

Not many shops ask you take part in a vote to decide how a business is run. But "The Co-op" is more than a shop: it's a critical part of a movement dedicated to changing the way power and wealth are shared.

From being the first supermarket to stock Fairtrade products to their brilliant work on tackling the climate emergency by pioneering the elimination of plastic waste, they show us a different, more ethical way to do business. As a co-operative it is owned by shoppers, not shareholders. That means they prioritise doing right by their member-owners, and the communities they serve.

Your blue card is more than a way to earn rewards for yourself. As you shop, you are supporting causes in your local community. You are signalling your support for an ethical business that pays its fair share of tax. You are earning the right to make decisions about how the Co-op Group should use its power. You make the work we do possible.

Your card means you are part of a movement. You're not just a shopper. You're a pioneer.

Angled@4x

Co-operative values don't stop at the shopfront

Much like how the Labour Party was founded by the trade union movement, the Co-operative Party was founded by the co-operative movement to fight for our values in the places where decisions are taken and laws are made.

Because know that co‑operative values don't stop at the shopfront. The principles that lie behind successful co‑operatives – democratic control by customers and workers, and a fair share of the wealth we create together – ought to extend to the wider economy and our society.

That's why for over 90 years, the Labour Party and the Co-operative Party have worked together and stood joint candidates. Today, there are 41 Labour & Co-operative MPs alongside over 1,500 Labour & Co-operative other elected representatives right across the country, at every level of government.

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Voting is easier than ever

You can vote now using the Co-op app. Simply go to the Discover tab on the Co-op App and scroll to "Vote in the Co-op 2025 AGM".

Alternative, you can vote by ballots sent to you by email or post. The vast majority of ballots have been sent by email, with a small number sent by post. If you are eligible to vote, search your email inbox for an email from vote@agm.coop.co.uk with the subject line “Action required: It’s time to have your say”.

Unsure if you're eligible to vote? You can check your eligibility using the Co-op Group’s website here.

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