Featured campaign Build a future for our communities that’s bottom up, not trickle down.In uncertain times, if anything's clear, it's that trickle-down economics is dead, and that people are hungry for something new. What if the alternative was bottom up?
25th March 2018 Tackling Modern Slavery shows how the Co-op can work with the Co-operative Party to be a powerful force for change Hazel Blears Member Nominated Director, The Co-op The Co-op was founded out of a burning desire to banish social injustice 150 years ago. It is these same values that are at the heart of our work to put an end to the scourge of modern day slavery.
1st August 2017 A revolution in community housing is underway – so why is the Government putting it in jeopardy? Ben West Communications & Digital Officer Anna Birley Policy Officer In two years, communities have worked together to build hundreds of permanently affordable homes. But policy changes could put Community Land Trusts (CLTs) at risk.
30th June 2017 A race to the bottom or building wealth co-operatively? The choice is ours. Anna Birley Policy Officer For decades, communities have been told that their only option for regeneration is to compete against one another to incentivise big business to set up shop, and that waiting for inward investment is the only path to growth. But the race to the bottom could soon be over, thanks to a new approach that puts local people at the heart of rebuilding their local economy.
24th June 2017 We don’t have to wait for Whitehall to make change happen locally Emma Hoddinott Local Government Officer
2nd May 2017 Local Elections 2017: ‘I want to work with the community to make sure it isn’t left behind.’ Caitlin Prowle Youth Organiser Ahead of local elections this Thursday, Welsh Campaigns Officer Caitlin Prowle interviews Rachel Garrick, our candidate for Portskewett, Monmouthshire
10th April 2017 Barcelona has always been a centre of radicalism. Now the City’s €1bn spending power is being used to build a more democratic economy. Anna Birley Policy Officer Procurement may not capture the imagination, but Barcelona is using it to limit the dominance of big busines and support the social and sharing economy in the City.
27th March 2017 The battles for true local control: the Co-operative Party and local elections Joe Fortune National Political and Policy Manager With this year's local election campaign nearing its closing stages, it's time for all of us to work to ensure a strong voice for co-operation in local government
24th March 2017 Democracy going beyond the ballot box Emma Hoddinott Local Government Officer In Wales, co-operatives and co-operation hold the key to challenge some of the everyday sense of powerlessness felt by many across the country.
17th February 2017 Co-operative Councillors discuss co-operative social care solutions this weekend Emma Hoddinott Local Government Officer Local Government Officer previews our event on social care at LGA Labour Group Conference in Coventry this weekend
30th January 2017 Campaign win: all aboard the People’s Bus Service in Witney Ben West Communications & Digital Officer After a year of work by local Labour & Co-operative councillors to save local bus services for the community, the People’s Bus service in Witney carries its first passengers today
13th January 2017 Why I became Britain’s youngest co-operative councillor Nathan Burns Biography I’m Nathan, a Labour & Co-operative Councillor in Lancaster (in the North West). I grew up in Walthamstow, London, an area with a wonderful co-operative tradition and am currently an undergraduate at Lancaster University. I represent the young people of our movement on the National Executive Committee, the ruling body of our party. I’m Co-operative approaches could help solve some of the biggest problems faced by Lancaster’s student population - and as its newest councillor, I'll be working to build the City into a real stronghold of co-operative activity
12th November 2016 City deals must drive power beyond city halls to be successful Co-operative Party The Government’s push to devolve power to city and county regions will only be successful if it drives power beyond town halls and into local communities.
20th October 2016 We were successful in regulating pay-day lenders. But this International Credit Union day, there’s still more to do. Ed Miliband International Credit Union day is our chance to celebrate how far we've come - and to raise public awareness too.
11th October 2016 Providing leadership means sharing power Richard McCready Political Officer Address by Scottish Political Officer Richard McCready to the annual Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) Conference
10th September 2016 Local government must play leading role in helping residents avoid debt trap Co-operative Party Councils can play a key role in supporting the growth of ethical alternatives to so-called ‘legal loansharks’, says new guide published jointly by the Co-operative Party and the Association of British Credit Unions (ABCUL).
10th August 2016 What if house prices were linked to wages so local people could afford them? Ben West Communications & Digital Officer House prices in London now increasing in value at twice the average yearly earnings. A group of co-operators in East London are working to put home ownership back within reach of the rest of us.
3rd August 2016 Co-op councillors demand suppliers pay their fair share of tax Emma Hoddinott Local Government Officer Co-operative councillors in Salford and Durham tighten procurement rules to ensure suppliers are transparent in their tax affairs
2nd August 2016 Luciana Berger pledges to put passengers before profit in Liverpool City Region Ben West Communications & Digital Officer The Co-operative Party's candidate for Liverpool Metro Mayor promises to overhaul the region's transport by increasing the role of not-for-profit and co-operative bus operators.
15th July 2016 Co-operative Potential for Liverpool City Region Luciana Berger MP After speaking in a Westminster Hall debate on co-operatives' contribution to the economy, Luciana Berger outlines her co-operative vision for the Liverpool City Region.
6th July 2016 Putting passengers back into the buses bill Ben West Communications & Digital Officer A voice for passengers is missing from the Government's Bus Services Bill. Co-operative Peers are working to put it back in.
8th June 2016 Fear and fatalism stalk the debate on social care – co-operative values point to a better way James Scott There is a gap in public debates about wellbeing and care - co-operative models can create services that boost social capital and improve health outcomes.
6th June 2016 Tony Lloyd Co-operative Party choice for Greater Manchester mayor Co-operative Party Following hustings and a ballot at its meeting on Friday, the North West region of the Co-operative Party has voted to select Tony Lloyd as its preferred candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor.
3rd May 2016 Co-operatives are thriving in Plymouth – here’s how the Labour & Co-operative council is making it happen. Co-operative Party Local government officer Emma Hoddinott reports back on last week's visit to Plymouth, where councillors are this week campaigning to keep Labour & Co-operative control of the City Council.
21st April 2016 Co-operation at all levels James Scott With the transfer of powers to city regions, there's an opportunity for the growth of co-operation and for local people to have an increased say on the services they depend. We must be ready to seize these opportunities.
9th March 2016 Tory cuts to bus services in Cameron’s backyard are leaving people stuck at home – but this community is fighting back. Ben West Communications & Digital Officer Faced with cuts to their local bus service, residents in David Cameron's constituency of Witney are working to create a co-operative-based alternative.
11th February 2016 The co-operative movement is tackling Britain’s ‘hidden epidemic’ Co-operative Party With loneliness described as a 'public health crisis', the Party and co-operative movement are working together to ensure the issue receives the attention it deserves
19th January 2016 Co-operators call for mutual ownership of land Richard McCready Political Officer This week in the Scottish Parliament, Co-operative MSPs Johann Lamont, Claudia Beamish and Sarah Boyack will call on the Scottish Government to promote the mutual ownership of land.
13th January 2016 Public enthusiasm fuels community energy schemes Co-operative Party Social enterprise Energy4All announces £5.5m of community investment, amidst government attacks on sector
22nd June 2015 Community Empowerment Bill Passed Claudia Beamish Member of the Scottish Parliament on the South of Scotland list and Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change On Wednesday in the Scottish Parliament the Community Empowerment Bill passed its final stages and became law.
17th March 2015 Backing fairtrade footballs in Glasgow Richard McCready Political Officer People often question what difference being a ‘Co-operative Council’ makes. Glasgow City Council has a very interesting answer to that question especially in relation to promoting a fairtrade sports goods co-operative.
Background briefing – Community, Place and PowerWith context to this policy consultation topic, and an overview of existing party policy on community, place and power
Co-operative Councillor Local Elections BriefingGuide to being selected and elected as a Labour & Co-operative councillor in 2018/19
Modern Slavery Briefing for Local CouncillorsIncluding the Co-operative Party Charter on Modern Slavery