A co-operative agenda for a fairer society
After thirteen years of Labour Government which saw unprecedented change for the mutual and co-operative sector, we now face the challenge of opposition and of a coalition Conservative-led government. The Conservative Party pretends to be a friend of co-operation but would betray it as easily and as readily as it has on every single occasion it has seized power.
We cannot let that happen. Our economy and our society have undergone profound and unprecedented change in recent times.People believe that large organisations that affect our lives are not being run in our interests. The credit crunch has shown that the way to a prosperous and progressive future is by involving people in the institutions that run their lives and in ensuring that those institutions put people before profit and never lose sight of the principles on which the co-operative movement was founded.
Our co-operative policies seek to directly address this. Across the economy, the public sector and society we are looking to buildinstitutions that serve our collective needs as people rather than, as has happened too often, our lives and circumstances being affected by bodies over which we have too little control.
Our set of policies here on this website, summarising the radical ideas in our full manifesto, offers us a unique and historic opportunity to fulfil the promise of the co-operative movement – to put the values of co-operation and mutuality at the heart of public policy.In opposition, we will continue to make the case for co-operation, to champion our cause, to propose constructive policies at all levels of government and oppose those policies which will hurt our country and our movement.
Please support us, please get involved.
Gareth Thomas MP
Chair of the Co-operative Party
