For nearly 100 year, the Labour Party and the Co-operative Party have worked together – standing joint Labour & Co-operative candidates.
Find out more now about who we are, why we work together, and why you should support both our movements.
Much like how Labour was founded by the trade union movement, the Co-operative Party was founded in 1917 by the co-operative movement. Made up of customer-owned, employee-owned and community-owned organisations, the co-operative movement saw a wartime government dominated by private business interest and were determined to change how how our economy works, and who shares in its rewards.
Fast forward over a century, and we're still committed to that same goal of building a society in which wealth and power are shared.
As of the last General Election, the Co-operative Party elected 43 MPs, and we formed the first Labour and Co-operative Government in fourteen years.
The Labour Party and the Co-operative Party have been a team for nearly a century, after first forming an electoral alliance in 1927.
The Co-operative Party is an independent political party, with our own ideas, policies and leadership. However, many of our values – co-operation, community, and reshaping our economy for the benefit of all – we share with the Labour Party.
That's why we made a pact to stand together rather than against each other, forging a path for a powerful electoral pact that has stood the test of time.
Many Labour representatives, including MPs, councillors and Mayors, are also Co-operative Party representatives. They are members of both parties, and choose to stand on a joint ticket in order to further the cause of co-operation at every level.
We are proud to be sister parties, working towards a common goal of a better future.
Despite our common goals, the Co-operative Party is full of unique ideas. We have our own policy priorities, projects and platforms. We are guided by our members.
While Labour members are supported by the Labour Party, members of both have the benefit of another Party standing behind them as they fight for a fairer future, where wealth and power are shared.
Co-operative Party branches across the country are actively pursuing change in their communities. They are participating in campaigns on everything from community energy to local ownership. And of course, they are helping to grow the co-operative sector of the economy.
Now we are at a critical junction, with a greater number of Labour and Co-operative MPs in parliament than ever before. We need engaged, enthusiastic members to make the best of this opportunity. Join us today.
Yes.
As we have an electoral pact with the Labour Party, there is no issue with being a member of and publicly supporting both Parties. In fact, over 10,000 Labour Party members are already Co-operative Party members.
The Co-operative Party does what it says on the tin - we stand for co-operation.
That means are policies span a whole range of issues, including:
Our policies are decided by our members, and our campaigns reflect their priorities. You can see more of the work we are doing here.
No. You do not have to be a Labour Party member to join, and some of our members are not members of the Labour Party.
However, you cannot join the Co-operative Party if you are a member of another political party other than the Labour Party.
If you are a Labour Party member or supporter and you're interested in hearing more about the co-operative movement and how to get involved, you can sign up for email updates on our work now.
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