Region/Nation: South West

As the South Swindon CLP Youth Officer, I am dedicated to representing and championing the concerns of young people in our community. One area of utmost importance to me is public transport policy and its profound impact on the lives of young individuals. I firmly believe that accessible, efficient, and affordable transportation options are essential for the well-being and opportunities of young people today. Public transport plays a pivotal role in shaping our experiences, enabling us to access education, employment, healthcare, and recreational activities. It not only facilitates independence and mobility but also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing individual reliance on private vehicles. Unfortunately, the current state of public transport often fails to adequately address the specific needs of young people, resulting in significant challenges and barriers across the South West. To effectively address these challenges, I firmly advocate for the exploration of innovative solutions, and one promising avenue lies in the integration of co-operatives and mutuals within the public transport sector. Co-ops and mutual organizations prioritize the interests and needs of their members, cultivating a sense of ownership and empowerment. Introducing co-ops and mutuals in public transport can pave the way for community-led initiatives that prioritize the concerns of young people. These organizations can offer a platform for active participation in decision-making processes, ensuring that the voices of young individuals are heard and their unique needs are considered. Furthermore, co-ops and mutuals have the potential to enhance transparency, accountability, and democratic control within the public transport sector. By involving young people in the governance and operations of transport services, we can build a system that is responsive to their requirements and aspirations. Collaboration among stakeholders, local communities, transport authorities, and young people themselves, can be fostered through co-operatives and mutuals, resulting in improved public transport accessibility and affordability.

Region/Nation: North East

My name is Vince Barry-Stanners. I joined the Co-operative Party back in 2015 and am proud to have represented the party at local and national elections, served as delegate to both the South West, and North East & North Cumbria party councils, and to have been a founding member of LGBTQ+ Co-operators network.

I’m standing for Co-operative Party Youth Committee because I want to ensure that our party is accessible to all young members, including those with additional access needs due to disability or caring responsibilities.

I want to work with you to build the Youth Network into a truly representative wing of our movement by undertaking regular consultations, holding policy discussions, and by working with other equality networks to ensure we are intersectional in everything we do.

As your representative I will report back regularly on the work of the committee through social media and written reports. And I will ensure that party councils are informed of our work too, so they can support young members locally and work with us to deliver a better party for young members.

I will also support the creation of regional co-operative party youth networks to help connect young members and support them with getting their voices heard in local parties and encouraging them to stand for in their local and regional parties – not just youth officer.

If you want any more information or want to know more about my campaign, please get in touch at cooperatorvince@gmail.com or on twitter @VBarryStanners.

Region/Nation: North West

As chair of the Bolton & Bury branch in Greater Manchester, I have helped to make our branch one of the most active in Greater Manchester and in the North West. Our branch now has regular meetings with speakers and discussions, and regular campaign events. We also increased the number of Co-op Councillors across our 2 boroughs from 2 to 8 in the most recent election (including the leader of Bolton Council now being a co-op Councillor), with many more co-op endorsed candidates standing for election.

I'm standing to be on the youth steering committee because I want to energise the co-op youth in the same way I have my local branch. There is massive untapped potential in the youth section of our great party. I want to help organise local and regional youth networks across the country, so young members can discuss policy, campaign and socialise with fellow young co-operators.

With these local youth networks, young members can inspire each other to do more than they would have previously. Leading on party campaigns locally, setting up local co-ops, or even standing for Council or Parliament are just a few examples of what could be achieved if we start investing in the youth of our party.

Working with Joe Fortune, Ellie our new NEC rep, and active young members across the country, we can build a thriving and inspiring youth network. If we do this, then the future of our party will be the brightest it's been, with a new generation of young co-operators coming through, ready to work together to make the country a better and more co-operating place.

Region/Nation: South East

I'm standing to be on both the Co-operative Party Youth Network Steering Committee and LGBTQ+ Cooperators Council because I'm passionate about getting more young and LGBTQ+ activists into the Cooperative Party, sticking up for the trans community, and being the voice of young LGBTQ+ Cooperators. Alternative forms of ownership are going to be crucial if we are to radically transform our economy and address the climate crisis - our Party needs our young activists to fight for a better, more sustainable future.

This summer, I had the privilege of becoming the Labour Party’s first-ever elected Trans Officer on the newly reformed National Labour Students Committee. As part of our work on NLSC, we want to make sure that young activists feel equipped and supported to engage in politics. I’d like to coordinate this work across the Youth Network and both parties to make sure we’re bringing as many people into our movement as organisers, candidates and cooperators as possible.

As important to me is the fight for trans rights and full liberation for the LGBTQ+ community - I founded Labour for Trans Rights, and am currently the campaign’s co-chair. If elected, I would like to further coordinate my work on this campaign with ongoing work on trans liberation in the Cooperative Party. As part of your Youth Network Steering Committee, I'd be a tireless advocate for the trans community, and would work to make getting LGBTQ+ activists involved as Cooperators my priority, through outreach as well as making resources for LGBTQ+ members and reps.

I would suggest also voting for Minesh Parekh, Oliver Probert-Hill and Anna Baxter, who are all wonderful young LGBTQ+ activists in their own right, and would be phenemenal on both our Youth Network Steering Committee and LGBTQ+ Co-operators Representative Council.

Region/Nation: West Midlands

I am standing for the Youth Network Steering Committee because I believe in the Co-operative mission, and I want to take that mission to more young people in West Midlands.

I am a politics student and TULO for Tamworth CLP, having previously been youth and policy officer for the constituency and a Labour and Co-operative council candidate. I am passionate about transformative, co-operative policies and I'm currently doing my dissertation on housing co-operatives.

My approach has been to build relationships with unions, party members and other CLPs in surrounding areas.

This is an approach I intend to continue if elected. These are my priorities:

• Improving our relationships with colleagues in the regions, by leading in-person meetings with Co-operative and union branches and local CLPs
• To organise a youth policy forum to give young people a chance to be at the heart of co-operative policy-making.

I would be greatly honoured to serve on the committee. I have always believed that young people have a great deal to offer, and I will work tirelessly to give them a voice.

Region/Nation: East Midlands

I am Robert, currently serving as Youth Officer for my CLP. I am also Chair of Corby and East Northants Young Labour (which I recently co-founded) and in both of these roles, I am working to get more young members involved locally.

Recently, I initiated a local campaign on voter ID, with particular focus on the effects this has for young voters.

I have been passionate about politics and local issues since the age of 7, when I started a campaign for improvements to my local playground. I joined Labour on my 14th birthday and the Co-op Party shortly after.

My ambition is to make our country a better place. As young people, we are the future, so we need to be at the heart of decision making and our voices need to be heard.

I firmly believe that with co-operative values we can make a massive difference, nationally and in our local communities.

This Tory government is a complete mess and, as a party, we need to focus on winning the next election so that we can finally have a Labour and Co-operative government and deliver positive change for everyone.

If I am elected, I will ensure that all young members are kept up to date with our work on the committee and I will represent members’ views at every possible opportunity. I look forward to organising events for young members, helping out with campaigning and working towards recruiting new young members for the Co-op Party.

It would be an honour to have your support.

Region/Nation: East of England

Hi, I’m Archie Hadfield, my pronouns are He/Him and I want to be on your voting ticket, to join the Co-op Party National Youth Committee.

I joined the Co-operative party in May 2021, only 4 months after I first joined labour, keep in mind I had only just turned 14 and straight away I wanted to join. I’m turning 16 in November and have been growing through both the Labour and Co-op parties. In my time through these parties, I’ve been made the Secretary and now Chairman of Hertsmere Young Labour, the Disability Officer of Hertsmere Labour, the Vice Chairman of Potters Bar Labour and the Campaign Co-ordinator of Oakmere Ward Labour. I also have been working very hard on strengthening my ties with Co-op, whether that be getting to know my local Co-operative councillors, the chair of our local Co-operative branch or studying the history of the Co-operative movement.

I want to be elected because I want to support our grassroots network of strong co-operators, trying to make a difference in their community. This is why these are my campaign pledges, if I am elected, I;
1) Will further support the LGBT+ community in the party, and help clamp down on discrimination in the party, through education.
2) Will increase safeguarding, try to make sure everyone over 18 on the committee is DBS checked.
3) Will set out a plan to establish local Co-op Youth Branches, similar to Young Labour Groups.
4) Set up a newsletter where I can update you on my progress for transparency.

To do this I need your support, that’s why I’m asking for you to consider putting me as one of your options. Thank you very much for reading,
Archie Hadfield (For any questions, AGHadfield26 - Twitter).

Region/Nation: West Midlands

Folks,

It’s a pleasure to be standing for a place on the Co-operative Party Youth Network Steering Committee. My bid for the role is simple and based on 3 C’s.

Competence, commitment and creativity

I’m a competent and experienced activist and have served on branch, CLP and Birmingham Young Labour committees in roles including Vice Chair, Campaigns Coordinator, Secretary and Youth and Students Officer. I am also a trade union activist and served as Young Members Officer for my branch and am in the process of training as a Health and Safety Officer and Workplace representative.

I am passionate about cooperative values and have previously worked for a cooperative organisation as a Social Prescribing Link Worker where I helped individuals to develop personalised care plans by connecting them with health and well-being services in the community. I am currently working in Critical Care as a Trainee Nursing Associate and am passionate about keeping the NHS in public hands and am particularly interested in policy relating to economics and work, local government, health and welfare.

I’m a creative thinker and problem solver and will use this to help lead the committee in aid of our campaigning efforts as well events for young members across the country.

Finally, I am committed to the Labour and Co-Operative cause and will do whatever is necessary to help us gain seats across the country and help elect a Labour and Co-Operative government because our communities deserve good governance and a compassionate government. I am particularly excited about the prospect of bringing key sectors such as transport and utilities back under public ownership.

I am entering the final few years of my youth membership and would welcome the opportunity to serve young members once again before I age out.

Yours in solidarity and service,

Sohail

Region/Nation: North West

I am a Young Co-operator who lives and works in Liverpool as a nurse for the NHS.

Within the party, I am extremely proud to be the secretary and treasurer of my party branch and also sit on the party council. I firmly believe co-operatives are the way forward for our country as a fundamental alternative to a capitalist market, giving workers and customers ownership of local businesses and clubs.

It is for this reason that I am hoping to become a Labour Co-operative councillor when I stand in the local election in May. This will be allow me to work alongside the other Labour Co-op councillors to ensure we are growing and supporting local co-operatives and push forward our co-operative policies.

I see the full potential of what our movement and party can do when we engage and encourage more young people to become young co-operators, and how we can not only grow the movement but can have Co-operative policies and organisations thriving.

As the region who gave birth the Co-operative Group, and the region that gave the nation the Rochdale Pioneers 178 years ago, I would be honoured to be on the committee from the Northwest.

I ask for the opportunity to demonstrate my commitment and enthusiasm to the role on the committee, and work alongside other committee members to create a strong Youth Committee for all our young members, for this reason I ask members to place their trust in me and vote to give me this opportunity. Thank you!

Region/Nation: Yorkshire and the Humber

I’m a Town councillor, and as such I have a lot of campaigning experience, particularly in running a large campaign on my own. I have just finished a major campaign I was running as a one-man-band against 8 other candidates to secure my seat, and this has given me valuable experience.

I’m relatively new to internal party politics, however, and I’d love this opportunity to be able to work alongside likeminded people to achieve a co-operative Britain, and to ensure that young people are at the forefront of this.

I have the experience necessary to learn on the job, and to develop into a role on the Co Operative Party’s youth steering committee.

Region/Nation: North West

As a proud and active member of our Party and movement I’m proud to be a newly elected Labour and Co-operative Councillor on Wirral. If elected to represent young members on the Youth Committee one of me key aims is to see the youth committee connecting young co-operators with the Co-op Party and connecting our members with the wonderful co-operation taking place across the country. I want to see members becoming more active in their local Co-ops, through my job for Co-operatives UK I get the see the difference co-operation is making on a daily basis and the policy we need to see it grow. I want the Youth Committee connecting with our wider movement including not limited to attending Co-operatives UK Youth Summit

Region/Nation: North West

Hi there,
My names Rob and I’m an elected Labour & Coop Councillor in Bolton. I am a passionate co-operator and the branch secretary of my local branch. I am running to be on the Youth Committee because I am desperate to have a nationally active youth network to really start building some great collective campaigning from us young coop party members. There are so many coop solution to issues that affect our generation greatly, especially in housing.
There is a lot of passion from the young members I have met but I believe this needs to be coordinated and harnessed so that we are visible and impactful. The party at large lacks diversity and is an old party, we need to be as active as possible as young members so we can have as loud a voice as possible when our party discusses the future. I believe we can achieve this. I would love to see regional networks of young members who get out and campaign together, guided by a clear national strategy. I would love to be a part of this.
Having ran for council and won, and also through my work at the National Education Union I have experience of organising and getting people together and active, I would be honoured to get the chance to try and contribute to getting an active youth movement in the party. If we can show our campaigning worth and recruit more young members, we can grow our position in the party which I believe is essential for the party’s success going forward.
This country has enormous problems, this party has THE radical answers, and it falls on us to deliver these solutions. I would love to help with this mission. So, I would be honoured if you voted for me.

Region/Nation: North West

I’m Iwan, I’m 18 and I’m from Liverpool, my pronouns are he/him and I’m running to be elected to the Youth Co-Operators Steering Committee.

I’ve been a member of the Labour Party since I was 14, and a member of the Co-Operative Party since last summer. I care so deeply for our movement and greater collective values that we all spend day in, day out fighting for. For that fairer, greener - and yes - co-operative future under a Labour Government.

If I’m elected to the Steering Committee I will act on these three pledges that I make to you now;
to support our Youth Rep, Ellie Ormsby be the best Representative she can;
to support our youth members to make the most of their membership;
To bring transparency with me to this position and regularly report back on meetings.

Because it is so important for anyone entrusted to perform a role, at any level, to regularly report back to their members and voters. That is why I’m pledging to regularly report back on the steering committee meetings.

All I see in this party is an ocean of talent, and potential. That should give us a real sense of optimism, that if we are united then we will be so much greater than the sum of our individual parts, especially with a General Election on the horizon - and one we need to win. But more importantly,
one that the country needs us to win.

So that is why I’m running to be your member of the Youth Steering Committee.

Region/Nation: North West

My name is Oliver Probert-Hill. My pronouns are he/him and I am bisexual. I am enthusiastic about helping to change our future. Young people have been left behind by this Tory government from the raising of tuition fees by the coalition government to the destructive attitude towards our beloved NHS. We deserve better. Britain deserves better. Young people deserve better.

That can only happen if the cooperative movement is 100% behind a socialist, campaigning, and active Labour movement. On the Co-Operative Party Youth Committee, I will do that by helping to organize campaign days to support Labour and Cooperative Cllrs and MPs. I will also help plan events where young members can meet other young members and make friendships and connections. These events will hopefully be alcohol-free so that we can be inclusive to all members, under eighteens and over eighteens. I will fight hard for young members of our party.

There is a big problem in our society. That problem is transphobia. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community will never stop advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.

Thank you for reading my case to be on the Co-operative Party Youth Committee. I hope you choose me and if you have any questions feel free to DM me on Twitter ( my Twitter is @OliProbertHill)