Co-operative Party
The Co-operative Party is a political party in the United Kingdom. It is an electoral alliance with the Labour Party, and the two parties jointly endorse candidates at a number of elections. They were 'formed in 1917 to put co-operators into Parliament. It is the political arm of the British Co-operative Movement, and all its members must also be members of a bona fide Co-operative Society.' [1]
- Karin Christiansen - General Secretary
Objectives
The Co-operative Party believes that people will achieve more by working together than they can by working alone. It believes that through increased co-operation, we will achieve a sustainable future for our economy and society as a whole.
It supports efforts to bring about the empowerment of individuals and communities, through co-operative self-help initiatives.
It works to promote co-operative and mutual forms of economic, social and voluntary organisation, which are based on the principles of mutual ownership and democratic control.
The Co-operative Party stands for:
- Enterprise: a sustainable economy and society
- Empowerment: a culture of citizenship
- Accountability: socially responsible business
Staff at Head Office
- Peter Hunt - national secretary
- Oliver Fry - policy and media officer
- Debi Jones - website
- Mat Ball - parliamentary officer
- Jenny Nicholson - campaigns coordinator
- Emma Harrison - office manager
- Jonathan Blay - party assisant
NEC
- Gareth Thomas MP - Chair
- Jeanette Timmins - Vice Chair
- Roy Mayhew
- John Kennedy
- Brenda Foster
- Dave Pownall
- Jim Lee
- Bob Harber
- Geraint Day
- Alun Michael MP
- Len Wardle
- Adrian Bailey MP
- George Richardson
- Dan Crowe
- Phil Harris
- Brian Selby
- James Flinders
- Linda Gilroy MP
Related Bodies
- Mutuo, its think tank