OWNING THE FUTURE

Conference

In 2021, due to the restrictions imposed following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Co-operative Party is holding a series of virtual Conferences across all areas of the UK.  Members and supporters from across Scotland are invited to take part in this virtual event on Saturday 13 March from 2.00pm to 5.45pm.

In advance of May’s elections, this online-only event will launch our ‘Co-operative Agenda for Scotland’ outlining our recommendations to the Scottish Parliament that will rebuild a fair and co-operative Scotland post-Covid.

The Programme

2pm/3.45pm:  A Co-operative Agenda for Scotland – viewed on a livestream via the Co-operative Party website

• Launching a Co-operative Agenda for Scotland: our policy platform spotlighting some of our key Co-op Party politicians standing in May’s elections.  Speakers include:
  • Anas Sarwar MSP, Scottish Labour Party leader
  • Joe Fortune, General Secretary, the Co-operative Party
  • Rhoda Grant MSP
  • Roz Foyer, General Secretary, Scottish Trades Union Congress
  • Neil Bibby MSP
  • Richard McCready, Scottish Co-op Party Policy Officer
• #NotPartoftheJob: making it work – discussion on how we manage the implementation of Daniel Johnson’s Bill protecting retail workers, followed by Q&A. Speakers include:
  • Daniel Johnson MSP
  • Cllr Stephen Curran, Glasgow City Councillor
  • Tracy Gilbert, USDAW Scotland
  • Chair – Rita Miller, Chair Scottish Co-operative Party

4pm/5.30pm:  Scotland: Our Nation – on Zoom 

• Introduction – Ruth Hall, Scotland and NI representative on National Executive Committee
• Reinvigorating our high streets and supporting land reform across Scotland, speakers include:
  • Evie Copeland – Midsteeple Quarter, Dumfries
  • Martin Avila, Board member Community Land Scotland & Director of Kinning Park Complex, a community-owned multi-use space in Glasgow
  • Sarah Boyack MSP
  • Chair – Ged Killen, former MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West
• Scottish Co-op Party & local government – hearing about how and why you should stand for election in 2022 with some of our fantastic Lab & Co-op Councillors, including:
  • Cllr Emma Hoddinott, Co-op Party Local Government Officer
  • Cllr Chantal Lee, Co-op Party Equalities Officer
  • Eunis Jassemi, Scottish Co-op Party Equalities Officer
  • Cllr Judy Hamilton, Fife Council
  • Cllr Paul O’Kane, East Renfrewshire Council
  • Cllr Danny Gibson, Stirling Council
  • Chair: Cllr Eva Murray – Dept. Chair Scottish Co-operative Party
• Thanks – Ruth Hall

Please note that this event has been moved from 27 February due to the announcement of the new Scottish Labour leader.

Register your interest in attending here: