Interested joining our National Executive Committee? Here's everything you need to know.
The Party’s National Executive Committee sets the strategic direction for the Party and works closely with the General Secretary and staff to ensure that we meet our purpose and agreed plans.
Party policy is agreed by the NEC in consultation with members and Annual Conference.
The NEC is also the Board of Co-operative Party Ltd, a registered Society under the Co-operative & Community Benefits Society Act 2014. It is responsible for ensuring that the Party complies with all aspects of good corporate governance and meets its responsibilities in law and to statutory bodies such as the Financial Conduct Authority and Electoral Commission.
Elections to the Co-operative Party National Executive Committee take place every three years. Members elected in 2020 (and at subsequent by-elections) will serve from June 2020 until the next NEC is elected in 2023.
Nominations are now open for the election of one representative each to represent Scotland & Northern Ireland (combined), Wales and the nine English regions. These will be elected by one member, one vote by individual members in that nation or region.
Nominations are also open for one Youth Representative, who must be under 27 on 6 February 2020. They will be elected by one member, one vote by all individual members aged 30 or under.
For this election, we are inviting candidates to self-nominate. After the closing date (5pm on Thursday 6 February), valid nomination forms will be forwarded to branches and local parties in the relevant nation or region for them to endorse a candidate if they choose. You do not need to be endorsed by a branch or party council however to go forward for election.
There are also two NEC places for representatives elected by and from the Party’s subscribing societies and affiliates. If you wish to seek election for one of these places your please contact your society or affiliate to request a nomination.
Please read all of the information on this page before clicking the button below to begin the nomination process.
Please contact our Deputy General Secretary, Karen Wilke, at k.wilkie@party.coop or call 02073674178.
18 December 2019
Self-nominations open for the NEC and CPDC
6 February 2020 (5pm)
Closing date for self-nominations
13 February 2020
Branch and Party Council endorsements open
15 March 2020
Closing date for branch and Party Council endorsements
27 March 2020
Ballot papers will be issued to Societies, Affiliates and Party Councils for the 2 Societies and Affiliates NEC representatives and 22 Co-operative Party Disciplinary Committee representatives.
6 April 2020
Ballot papers will be sent by email to all individual members for the regional and national election and to members 30 and under for the election for the youth representative
4 May 2020
Ballots close
4/6 June 2020
Induction & AGM for new NEC, followed by the Co-operative Party Ltd AGM
The NEC has 19 voting members:
The Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, or their nominee, if a member of the Party, may sit on the NEC as a non-voting member.
The General Secretary and the Board Secretary also attend each meeting, along with other Party staff as required.
NEC members must have a good understanding of corporate governance and finance or be prepared to receive training.
All NEC candidates must:
Additionally, no-one can be an NEC member who:
Regional representatives (11) must:
Additionally, the elections in the South East region, Scotland & Northern Ireland and Wales will be for women only candidates.
Youth representative (1) must be:
Societies representatives (1 man & 1 woman):
For 2014 and future elections, where required, the NEC agreed that some seats should be reserved for women candidates to ensure a gender balance on the NEC that better reflects the overall membership.
For the elections in 2020 the following are only open to women candidates: - South East, Scotland & Northern Ireland, Wales. These were selected on the basis that they were not chosen in 2017 and do not have a sitting member of the NEC who would be prevented from contesting the seat.
Members of the NEC do not receive a fee or an attendance allowance, but they are reimbursed reasonable travel expenses to attend meetings of the NEC or on the NEC’s behalf.
5/6 June
AGM & induction (followed by Co-operative Party AGM)
Birmingham
9/11 October (tbc)
Annual Conference
Leeds (tbc)
28/29 November
NEC Strategy Weekend
Venue TBC
Read all the information? Start the nomination process now!
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