Region/Nation: Wales

Previous activity in the Co-operative Party and/or co-operative movement:

I joined the Co-operative party two years ago, when I was introduced to their principles. I attended meetings when I lived in an active area and I talk to friends and family about the movement, because I believe in its importance. I am also a member of the Labour Party and have had the pleasure of volunteering alongside Labour & Co-operative councillors and MPs.

The core values of democracy and empowering communities to take ownership of their shops, energy and housing (to name a few) are such a powerful basis on which to improve the lives of people in the UK.

Why I should be elected to the LGBTQ+ Representatives Council:

I am a disabled, non-binary individual who strongly believes in the power and necessity of the Co-operative movement. Many LGBTQ+ people hold views which align with the Co-operative party's values, and I would like to contribute to welcoming them into the party and ensuring their voices are heard. Change needs to come from the ground up, with minority voices magnified and truly heard.

I believe it is vital to have a diverse range of Co-operative councillors and politicians, who reflect the communities we see around us. I would like to help with ensuring this includes members of the LGBTQ+ community, who are often under-represented in political spaces.

I have previous experience volunteering in spaces focused on both LGBTQ+ and disability equity, through local politics as well as sitting on committees. I am currently a member of an Equality Steering Committee for a national sport governing body and am part of a ‘lived experience’ panel which offers insight into life as a disabled and LGBTQ+ person to therapists. I would value the chance to apply that experience to the Co-operative party.

Region/Nation: South West of England

Previous activity in the Co-operative Party and/or co-operative movement:

Labour and Co-operative Party principal authority council candidate in 2023 and 2025

Chairperson of the Truro and Falmouth Constituency Labour Party (2024-present)

Executive Committee member of the Fabian Society (2021-2023)

Executive Committee member of the Cornwall Local Government Committee (2024-present)

Why I should be elected to the LGBTQ+ Representative Council

We must defend our fundamental rights against one of the largest societal backlashes in a decade, and we must build upon our activism by winning elections. If selected, my first and primary objective will be to maximize the number of LGBT+ Cooperators elected across the United Kingdom, at every level of government. This applies to local councils, combined authorities, regional mayors, PPC's as well as the Welsh & Scottish parliaments. Only then can we succeed as a movement.

In order to achieve this, we must eliminate barriers to elected office throughout process.

- Create guidance and support materials to help LGBT Co-operators to get selected as candidates.
- Establish training and networking events (Both in-person and online) to up-skill candidates and share knowledge.
- Organise targeted campaign efforts to get Co-operators elected, such as campaign days with activists traveling to priority seats, and creating a dedicated LGBT+ fund to provide financial support.

If you vote for me, this is what I will strive to deliver.

Region/Nation: North West of England

Previous activity in the Co-operative Party and/or co-operative movement

Since joining the co-operative movement and party, I have helped at a co-op fairtrade stall as part of Fairtrade fortnight, attended multiple events such as the co-op party conference, and joined the Central Co-ops Membership Community Council, where I have attended get-to-know-your-co-op events.

Why I should be elected to the LGBTQ+ Representatives Council:

I want to be elected to the LGBTQ+ Council as a young, non-binary person with multiple disabilities, as I strongly believe in the importance of representation and support for LGBTQ+ people of all ages and backgrounds. I should be elected to the LGBTQ+ Council because I helped establish the first LGBTQ+ group at the City of Liverpool College. We made sure to provide safe spaces for students and signpost to resources in and around the college, including youth groups, safe spaces, and gender clinics. We also began a gender-affirming wardrobe where students could borrow clothes or change once in college to express themselves in a secure environment.
I have also attended a youth group called Comics Youth on the Wirral, which hosts events for young LGBTQ+ people, such as a book fair for marginalised publishers, such as BAME, Disabled, or LGBTQ+ authors.
As well as attending Pride as a Proudly disabled person who is queer and non-binary.