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Features >> Politics

Sadly, David Davis got it about right on Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ proposal

There is an old saying, ‘be careful what you wish for — it might come true’. The co-operative and mutual movement and social enterprise sector may well mull over those thoughts in the months and years to come.
August 31 2010
Category: Politics

Co-op MSP Rhona Brankin is set to stand down at the Scottish elections next May

Rhona’s Pioneering role in Scottish politics

Rhona Brankin’s family ties are firmly aligned with the Co-operative Movement right back to the Rochdale Pioneers — and that’s one of the reasons why she will continue supporting the sector after stepping down in the Holyrood elections next year.
August 03 2010
Category: Politics

Under Government proposals NHS workers will be able to form their own co-operatives to run services

NHS staff must not be forced to create health co-ops

Major changes for the NHS in England have been proposed by the Coalition Government.
August 02 2010
Category: Politics

Adrian Bailey, new Chair of the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, is well-placed to help co-operatives

Co-op's are not to be used for public service cuts

Adrian Bailey is one of the co-operative and mutual sector’s strongest friends in Parliament, though Adrian himself is careful not to over-stretch any claim of seniority. “It is equal with Andy Love,” he laughs. “He was also a Co-operative Party organiser before he became an MP.”
July 28 2010
Category: Politics

Chris Leslie says it’s his job to fight for Co-op values and to scrutinise the actions of the Government

Chris the comeback kid faces up to challenge of opposition

Chris Leslie’s comeback as a Labour/Co-op MP is in sharp contrast to the heady days when he entered the House of Commons as the “Baby of the House”.
June 28 2010
Category: Politics

As Chancellor, Gordon Brown visits India in 2007 with Co-operative Party Chair and former International Development Minister Gareth Thomas to oversee a co-operative project supported by the British government

Movement pays tribute to a political colossus

Gordon Brown will be remembered as a doughty fighter for social justice at home and abroad and one of the country’s most successful Chancellors. He was also the first Co-operative Party member in history to reach the highest political office in the land and, while the British electorate clearly delivered a damning verdict on May 6th, Co-op friends and colleagues contacted by the News are in no doubt that the former PM’s legacy is one to be proud of. Here’s what they had to say . . .
June 02 2010
Category: Politics

Are mutuals the future of banking?

There is, arguably, no one in the UK in a better position to give an overview on the global financial crisis, nor the impact on the mutual sector, than John McFall. As a Labour/ Co-op MP, Mr McFall has been chair of the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee, overseeing many hours of expert witnesses’ evidence as they tried to explain and analyse the near-collapse of capitalism.
May 12 2010
Category: Politics

Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Council, is looking to set up the first Co-op Council

Lambeth aims to be first ‘Co-op Council’

A local authority is making plans to brand itself as the country’s first “Co-operative Council” later this year.
March 30 2010
Category: Politics

Gordon Brown

The Alternative Vote system may not deliver what Gordon wants!

Gordon Brown should watch the “too clever by half” trait on electoral reform. The pitfall with the Alternative Vote — which is not a proportional representation system — is where voters use it as anything but in marking preferences on the ballot. New Labour came in with electoral reform and Tony Bair appointed the Jenkins Commission, which proposed AV Plus (involving a PR element and added MPs with no constituency).
March 26 2010
Category: Politics