From Crisis to Co-operation – North West regional conference

For the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Co-operative Party is returning to your region in one of a series of in-person Conferences being held across all regions and nations of the UK.  Members and supporters from across the North West of England are invited to take part in this event in Liverpool on Saturday 18 February from 10.30am to 3pm.

This is your Conference and your chance to meet with Co-op Party members from across the North West to discuss, debate and take part in workshops as we examine the theme ‘From Crisis to Co-operation’ by identifying the local co-operative initiatives that really do make a difference to communities in the midst of a cost of living crisis.

As well as hearing examples of best practice from invited guest speakers – we want to hear from you, our members – on how we can widen ownership in our economy and give people the tools and support to tackle the big issues from inequality, hunger and energy provision to green jobs and high street regeneration.

The venue

Quaker Meeting House Liverpool, 22 School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3BT

The programme*

A broad outline of the event is as follows:

10:30  Welcome address and introduction:

• Sarah Hall, Labour & Co-operative Parliamentary Candidate for Warrington South

10:40  Keynote address:

• Steve Rotheram, Mayor Liverpool City Region

11:00 Co-operative Party Campaigns update: panel discussion, including:

• Food Justice: Dr Naomi Maynard, Feeding Liverpool
• Community development: Jo Platt, former MP and Labour & Co-operative Parliamentary Candidate for Leigh
• Chair – Emma Hoddinott, Assistant General Secretary, Co-operative Party

12:00 Policy workshop: Co-operative Party General Election Manifesto development

12:45  LUNCH

13.15  Diverse Voices – the Co-operative Party Equality Networks: Get involved

13.30 Focus on … energy in the North West, including:

• Nicola Parkinson – Community Energy Preston
• Robin Jones – North West Net Zero Hub
• Cllr Gareth Dowling – re ‘Cant’ Wait to Insulate’ and ‘Warm and Welcome spaces’ initiatives
• Chair – Oliver Ryan, Labour & Co-operative Parliamentary Candidate for Burnley

14.15 Delivering a co-operative agenda locally and nationally

• Arooj Shah – council candidate in Oldham & former leader of Oldham Council, member of Gordon Brown Commission.
• Cllr James Roberts, Liverpool City Council Labour & Co-op Group, Vice Chair of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority,
• Ashley Dalton MP (West Lancs)
• Sir Mark Hendrick (Preston)
• Chair – Emma Hoddinott, Assistant General Secretary, Co-operative Party

15.00 – end-

Campaigning

Following the Conference there will be the opportunity to get out and door-knock to get local Labour & Co-operative Cllr Nick Small  reelected to the Central Liverpool ward.

This will take place from 4pm meeting in the car park of Marybone Youth and Community Centre, Addison Street, L3 2BE. t’s a 16 minute walk from the Quaker Meeting House and is just over the road from Lime Street Station and close to Moorfields Station too.    Here’s a link:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/Marybone+Youth+%26+Community+Association+Vrq+taxi+training/@53.4125862,-2.9847478,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x487b213755ba2fbd:0x29bc6ae9cad4626d!8m2!3d53.4125862!4d-2.9847478!16s%2Fg%2F1tmz6gtw

*Subject to change

Register here: