OWNING THE FUTURE

West Midlands Regional Co-operative Party Conference

In 2021, due to the restrictions imposed following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Co-operative Party is holding a series of virtual regional Conferences across all areas of the UK.  Members and supporters from across the West Midlands are invited to take part in this virtual event on Saturday 6 February from 2pm to 5.45pm.

Session 1: Party Policy (Location: Live streamed at party.coop/regional21-midlands)

2pm Update on the current work of the Party and its politicians

• Welcome: Joe Fortune, General Secretary, the Co-operative Party
• Keynote speaker: Preet Gill MP, chair Co-operative Party Parliamentary Group
• Equalities update: Chantal Lee, Equalities Officer, the Co-operative Party

2.30pm Social Care Policy panel debate followed by facilitated Q&A:

• Anna Birley, Chair
• Karen Creavin, Active Wellbeing Society
• Councillor Paulette A Hamilton, Cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Health
• Chris Bain, West Mids NEC representative & Chair West Midlands Healthwatch.

3.15pm Reinvigorating our High Streets Policy panel debate followed by facilitated Q&A

• Tanya Noon, Director of Central England Co-operative & a member of the National Members’ Council, Senate and Chair of Governance
• Anna Birley,  Policy Officer, the Co-operative Party
• Cllr Sam Webster, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth & City Centre Nottingham City Council
• Cllr Andy Furlong, Deputy Leader Labour group, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
• Cllr Emma Monkman, Belper Town Mayor

BREAK

Session 2: Our Region (Location: Zoom – invites sent with email confirmation after registration)

4.15pm Brief introduction and zoom housekeeping

• Jamie McMahon, NEC rep for East Mids

Getting elected – standing as a candidate & manifesto ideas, with

• Cllr Emma Hoddinott, Co-operative Party Local Govenment Officer

4.30pm Spotlight on elections in our region, speakers include:

• Liam Byrne MP, candidate for West Mids Metro Mayor
• Paddy Tipping, Police & Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire
• Cllr Rosanne Kirk, Lab & Co-op Portfolio Holder Reducing Inequality on City of Lincoln Council and PCC candidate for Lincolnshire (2021 election)
• Alison Martin, Labour & Co-op candidate, Derby City Council
• Chair – Jamie McMahon

5.15pm How to campaign during the pandemic on

• #FoodJustice with Cllr Joanna West Richard Bickle
• Cllr Olivia Birch, Wolverhampton Council, on tackling the myths and untruths about the Covid vaccine
• #FreedomFromFear with Sharon Langham, USDAW
• Chair – Chris Bain

5.45pm Final words and close

• Chris Bain, NEC rep for West Mids

On Saturday, to watch the conference live stream and join the interactive Zoom session, visit the conference hub at: https://party.coop/regional21-midlands

To register your interest in attending and receive the Zoom invite, register here: