Co-operative Party

This article is about the British political party. For other parties of the same name, see Co-operative Party (disambiguation).

The party today

It is the political arm of the wider British co-operative movement, and all members of the party must be members of a co-operative enterprise. Those who wish to stand for election must also be members of the Labour Party.

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The majority of the party?s income comes from grants made by the retail co-operative societies, and from fees received for managing the political affairs of Co-operatives UK, formerly known as the Co-operative Union. The Party is organised around the basic trading units of the major local retail society, which provides the majority of funding for local Party Councils. Some Parties exist without Society support, known as voluntary parties. Party branches exist at an even more local level to organise local activity and liaise with Constituency Labour Parties.

Related Topics:
Co-operatives UK - Constituency Labour Parties

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In its formative years the Co-operative Party was defensive, almost exclusively concerned with the trading and commercial problems of the co-op movement. Since the 1930s it has widened its emphasis. The basic principles underpinning the party are to seek recognition for co-operative enterprises, recognition for the social economy, and to advance support for co-operatives and co-operation across Europe and the developing world. They also claim to stand for a sustainable economy and society, a culture of citizenship and socially responsible business.

Related Topics:
Europe - Economy - Society - Citizenship

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The Co-operative Party seeks to advance its agenda through the Parliamentary Labour Party.

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In 2005 there were 29 MPs in the Co-operative Parliamentary Group, 8 Members of the Scottish Parliament, 4 Members of the Welsh Assembly and 11 Members of the House of Lords, as well as over 700 local councillors. There is also an informal Co-operative Party group in the European Parliament.

Related Topics:
Scottish Parliament - Welsh Assembly - House of Lords - Councillors - European Parliament

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As a result of the electoral agreement with the Labour Party, "Labour and Co-operative? candidates receive financial help with election expenses from the Co-operative Party. Nevertheless, there are many other Labour MPs who are Co-operative Party members but are not sponsored. One of these was Gareth Thomas MP, chair of the Co-operative Party since 2001 and of the Co-operative Congress in 2003, who was invited to join the parliamentary group in 2003. The Party has not registered a logo with the electoral commission for use on ballot papers, as candidates use the Labour Party "Rose" logo.

Related Topics:
MPs - Gareth Thomas - Co-operative Congress

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The Party holds an annual conference. The inaugural conference was held in 1920 in Central Hall, Westminster, with the first annual conference in Preston in 1924. Local parties and societies send delegates and motions. The 2005 conference is held in Bradford.

Related Topics:
Central Hall - Westminster - Preston - Bradford

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