Our policy platform sets the agenda for our party and its representatives, and puts forward our to-do list for Parliament. In the tradition of co-operation, our policy process is member-led and this is your opportunity to shape the ideas we’ll take to all levels of Government.
As we have done for the past few years, we will focus our consultation on two areas of policy in 2021. The first of these will be social care, reflecting on the sorrow and avoidable heartbreak that our broken and underfunded system has caused through this pandemic, as well as developing plans for a better social care sector built on the foundations of our co-operative values where carers and service users have a genuine say and people are put before profits.
The second topic will be chosen by you, our members! The NEC’s policy sub-committee has identified a number of topics where there is a need to update Party policy, or where recent events require us to rethink and adapt our ideas. From protecting our arts venues and town centres, to embedding fairness in our trade deals and financial institutions, any of these topics are worthy of consideration.
Between now and 21st December, the choice is yours: let us know which of these topics you believe should shape the Party’s policy consultation in the New Year and be debated at next year’s conference. Please note, only members can vote on and take part in the Party’s policy process – non-members’ votes will not be included.
The topic with the most votes will be announced to members in the New Year. The process will be launched on 20th January 2021 and members will be invited to share their views and ideas.
Consultation materials for your chosen topic, along with social care, will be published, including resources for your meetings, and the consultation will run until June 11th 2021. There will be a number of ways to get involved – you could attend your local party meeting to discuss the topics and share your collective views, take part in one of the regional conferences happening through the year where expert speakers will help to kick off a debate, organise an event with a member-led network, or simply send your individual answers to us.
Your contributions will be collected and considered by the NEC’s policy sub-committee, who use your ideas and feedback to shape policy proposals. These will be brought to the Co-operative Party annual conference in the Autumn for delegates to debate and vote on.