When a pub closes it can really rip out the heart of a neighbourhood. For many people in Walworth, South London, where I’m a councillor, the Beehive was the epitome of a community pub. Not just a place to grab a drink, but a place to meet neighbours, make new friends and hold landmark events from weddings to wakes.

Our membership is increasing, and with over 13,000 members we now have more than at any time in the Party’s history. With significant elections coming up, we’re putting ourselves in the best possible position to increase the size of our political representation.

In a parallel universe, the Government would have seized upon and rocket boosted co-operative principles and community power within a genuine ‘levelling up’ agenda. Instead, today’s long awaited Levelling Up White Paper doesn’t do enough to put power back in the hands of people who need it most.