Co-operative Change: East & South East

A Co-operative Party Regional Conference

for South East & Eastern England

In 2025, the Co-operative Party is once again holding a series of virtual Conferences across all regions and nations of the UK.  Members and supporters from across East of England and South East regions are invited to take part in this online Zoom event on Saturday 22 February from 2.30pm to 5pm.

The theme for this Conference is Co-operative Change – and how the Co-operative Party is delivering on its policy commitments to the co-operative and mutual sectors that widen ownership in our local economies as well as strengthen community wellbeing and resilience.  We will examine further the commitments made to co-op growth, community energy, local ownership and safer high streets in a series of conversations, panel discussions and keynote speeches, and highlight co-operative solutions that give people the tools and support they need to tackle the big issues from inequality and hunger to green jobs and high street regeneration.

The programme*

2.30   Welcome and introduction

• Emma Hoddinott, Assistant General Secretary, Co-operative Party

2.35     Largest Ever Co-operative Parliamentary Group, in conversation with regional MPs

• Andrew Pakes MP, MP for Peterborough
• Chris Vince MP, MP for Harlow
• Alice MacDonald MP, MP for Norwich North
• In conversation with: Emma Hoddinott, Asst Gen. Secretary

3.00     Delivery: Community Energy – facilitated Panel discussion with:

• Ollie Pendered, Community Energy South
• Cllr Liz Terry, Leader Reading Council & Director Reading Community Energy Co-operative Society
• Chair: Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Member Nominated Director at the Co-op & former Labour & Co-op MP

3.30     Delivery: Community Power – facilitated Panel discussion with:

• Josh Westerling, Power to Change
• Paula Woolven, Havens Community Hub
• Others – tbc
• Chair: Lucy Naylor, Co-operative Party NEC representative (South)

4.00     Delivery: Safer communities and action on  retail crime – in conversation with:

• John Tizard,  Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire
• Sarah Taylor, Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk
• Chair:Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald, President Co-op National Members Council and Councillor, Royal Borough of Greenwich

4.30   Introduction to 2025’s policy consultation, with

• Dan Monaghan, Co-operative Party Policy Officer

4.45  Build Your Co-operative Manifesto, with

• Gareth Dowling, Local Government Officer & Regional Organiser, Co-operative Party

5.00     Final words & next steps, with

• John Cook, Local Organiser (East and South East), Co-operative Party

*Subject to change