The Co-operative Party was founded in 1917 to be the political voice of the co-operative movement. And for nearly 100 years, we have worked in partnership with the Labour Party as its sister party.
Together, we stand joint candidates for at all levels of government, from parish and town councils up to Parliaments. The Co-operative Party, working with the Labour Party, want to build a Britain where wealth and power are shared.
We are the party of the UK's co-operative movement, committed to building a society in which power and wealth are shared.
Whether in government or opposition, for a century the Co-operative Party has been a voice for co-operative values and principles in the places where decisions are taken, and laws are made.
What is a co-op?
Co‑operatives are businesses owned and run by their customers and staff. Whether customers, employees, suppliers or people who live in the surrounding community, co‑operatives give the people closest to a business an equal say in how it is run and how its profits are used.
The original principles of co‑operation were set out by the Rochdale Pioneers, who created the World’s first modern co‑operative back in 1844.
Our ideas
As co-operators, we believe that the principles that lie behind successful co‑operatives - democratic control by customers and workers, and a fair share of the wealth we create together - ought to extend to the wider economy and our society.
Democratic, public ownership of the services and utilities we all rely on. Tackling the housing crisis through co-operative housing. Fans having a say in their sports club. Credit unions as an alternative to rip-off payday lenders. Shops owned by their customers that give back to the community.
Our campaigns
Private profit out of social care: We know just how damaging profiteering has been to our social care system. We want private profit out of care. Co-operative models offer a real alternative, where funds could be reinvested in the wellbeing of both service users and workers.
Community Right to Buy: This year, thanks to Co-operative Party campaigning, we saw a new Community Right to Buy enshrined in law. Now we want to do all we can to help local communities make the best of these new powers, via new funding and specialist support.
Building communities: Community Land Trusts and co-operative housing models can help us to hit housing targets while giving local residents a real say in how new developments are built and run. We are campaigning for the community-led housing sector.
Double the size: We know just how powerful co-operation can be for our economy. Owned by members and workers, co-operatives are an important way to redistribute power to local communities. That's why we're committed to doubling the size of the co-op sector.
Promoted by Joe Fortune on behalf of the Co-operative Party, both at Unit 13, 83 Crampton Street, London, SE17 3BQ, United Kingdom.Co-operative Party Limited is a registered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Registered no. 30027R