THE Members’ Magazine Spring/Summer 2021 PIONEER

LOCAL LEADERSHIP LOCAL ACTION

Gordon Brown: Building Our work supporting Votes at 16: How expanding new co-operative candidates for May’s the franchise gives young foundations elections people more power 06 04 23 Letter from the General Secretary Welcome to your latest edition of The Pioneer Contents I am delighted to be able to kick about the way in which he believes 04 off this edition of ‘The Pioneer’ and greater accountability and quality 2021 Elections Istart with a heartfelt thank you to political decision making can be 06 our supporters, members, activists, achieved in page 10. From the Case Study: officers, elected representatives, campaign trail we catch up with Policing for the People and staff team. All of whom continue new Mayoral to show the Party and movement Candidate Tracy Brabin MP, (pg 8), 08 amazing dedication and support. Sarah Murphy Co-op MS candidate Tracy Brabin: My Co-operative While we hope for better days and GLA Candidate Sem Vision for West ‘Times of crisis require us to ahead, there is little doubt that Moema (pg 16). We have a focus Yorkshire there will be further times to endure. on the future with pieces about 10 Both collectively and individually our Party’s support for Votes at 16 The Long Read: be imaginative, far-sighted and we continue to face uncertainty (pg 23) and news from around the Building New Shared foundations and challenge. I am proud that our country. movement has the values which I hope you enjoy it and I hope 14 driven from the bottom-up.’ provide the template for a better our collective values and principles Campaigning: Co-operative future. It is this better future that this continue to inspire us to co-operate Campaigning edition focusses on. and be a be a positive force in through Lockdown See ‘Building New Shared Foundations’, The ideas and zeal within this politics, community and at home. page 10 16 edition captures some of the best The Conversation: of the possible future politics and Sem Moema and Cai Parry demonstrates co-operative local action, local leadership. The Rt Joe Fortune, General Secretary 20 Hon Gordon Brown writes for us Spotlight: Westminster, Northern Ireland, , Wales THE PIONEER 24 Equalities Update Tel: 02073674150 Promoted by Joe Fortune on behalf of Email: [email protected] the Co-operative Party, both at Unit 13, Editorial enquiries: Georgia O’Brien 83 Crampton Street, London, SE17 3BQ. 25 and Shane Brogan. Printed by Solopress, 9 Stock Road, Events Update Southend-on-Sea Essex, SS2 5QF. Co-operative Party Limited is a registered Society under the Co-operative and 26 Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Policy Process Registered no. 30027R

02 The Pioneer Spring/Summer 2021 Letter from the General Secretary 03 Feature 2021 ELECTIONS: HOW WE’RE PREPARING FOR CO-OPERATION

provides the route through to being nominated as well pandemic. We have campaigned Emma Hoddinott as associated training and support. In just four months on free school meals, clearer Local Government Officer, we have held over 15 different training sessions as rules for foodbanks and promoted Co-operative Party well as virtual coffee mornings attended by over 150 Heathy Start Vouchers. With candidates. our Food Justice Finder (https:// s lockdown eased this summer, the hoped-for operation we helped facilitate. The programme is also open to those who are just foodjusticefinder.com) people economic uptick did not happen. In August, We must not lose this spirit interested in finding out more about being a candidate, have been able to find out what A Britain officially entered its deepest recession of togetherness and community and we are running taster sessions with our member their local council has been doing to since records began. While the pandemic has co-operation; nor can we return to networks to ensure our candidates reflect the diversity act, and we have already seen the had global economic impacts, the UK has fared crippling cuts and further erosion of our movement. number of known food champions particularly badly. The worst excess death rate in of vital public services. So in the Already we have 100s of Labour and Co-operative in councils nearly double. Europe coupled with the worst recession in Europe forthcoming elections we must get candidates standing for parish, district, county, Mayoral and Parliamentary and largest drop in GDP of all G7 countries is a co-operators elected, so they can unitary and metropolitan councils. They will join our candidates will be able to shape triple tragedy. take forward our ideas and bring record team of candidates for the , Scottish what the economic recovery looks Our Co-operative Party representatives in local about change. Parliament, and Police and Crime like, using our principles of sharing government have made our movement proud. When This year we launched the Co- Commissioners in England and Wales. There are also power and wealth and ensuring all the first restrictions came into place in March last year, operative Candidate Development five mayoral candidates including Tracy Brabin in parts of the UK are getting a fair it was co-operators that used our principles of self-help Programme, alongside new NEC West Yorkshire, in Greater Manchester, deal. and solidarity to step in where the UK government was guidelines to make it simpler for our Liam Byrne in West Midlands, Jesse Joe Jacobs in Now is our chance to bring about failing to serve our communities. We got to know our members to gain the nomination to Tees Valley and Nik Johnson in Cambridgeshire and change, as for the majority of the neighbours, organised foodbanks, made welfare calls, stand for the Co-operative Party. Peterborough. country this year, co-operation will fundraised for home schooling packs, care kits and Members can join the programme This is our opportunity to take our ideas forward. Our be on the ballot paper.  laptops and showed leadership in the community co- through an online form, and it campaign for Food Justice has highlighted the existing inequalities that have come to the fore during the

04 The Pioneer Summer 2020 Feature 05 Case Study

POLICING FOR THE PEOPLE

Lola Oyewusi Labour & Co-operative candidate for Kent Police and Crime Commissioner

am proud to be the first black female to be that involved the community, where selected as a Labour and Co-operative police and the people they are serving have a I crime commissioner candidate. say. And that is why I am standing Kent has been my home for the past twenty years for the Co-operative Party too, ordained minister. I have a heart for the people, for the been actively campaigning during and I saw what policing was like back then. In my own when I look at co-operative values, community, that’s what I want to bring to this role. the pandemic, such as the recent little village, we had our own police station and we knew they are close to my values. Starting off a campaign in the pandemic has not Scottish bill for protection of retail who our police officer was. People felt more secure with I have a wealth of community been easy, but I have a campaign team that helps get workers. a visible local policing system that worked for them. experience to bring to the role, as my message out. We have been very pro-active on My priority is to get more Unfortunately, that is not the case twenty years down I am a community activist. I run a social media, as it is key, alongside regular phone- resources into the police, and make the line, we have seen drastic cuts in policing. Kent is faith community group and run a banking, where we are using the Labour Party’s tool sure rural and coastal communities short of five hundred police officers, and our little village community food project that has Dialogue. are engaged. I will be the PCC on police station has been sold off. People feel that safety given out around 5000 food parcels. I even managed to launch my campaign the ground, that people would know, in their community is now bottom of the agenda. I also work full time for a housing during lockdown, which was successful with video making sure all local areas and My goal as Police and Crime Commissioner is to association, am a school governor, endorsements from people like David Lammy, local community groups are engaged. go back to basics and bring back that original idea of a Parish Councillor, Vice-Chair of Labour leaders and senior figures from UNISON too. Policing powered by the people and community policing and social responsibility. Policing Medway Trades Council and an The Co-operative Party means a lot to me, it has for the people.

06 The Pioneer Spring/Summer 2021 Case Study 07 Feature MY CO-OPERATIVE VISION FOR WEST YORKSHIRE

Tracy Brabin MP Labour & Co-operative candidate for West Midlands Metro Mayor

he Government’s response to the pandemic has to for the solutions to these Slavery how we can crack down I want to make West Yorkshire a co-operative fallen woefully short, with inadequate support challenges and the many others on those profiting from human enterprise friendly zone, where co-operative T across our economy leaving gaping holes we now face. trafficking, and we can promote initiatives in housing, nurseries, community through which too many people have fallen due to Because whilst it won’t be Credit Union membership to transport and other areas have the financial support no fault of their own. easy, the devolved powers the provide affordable and accessible they need to flourish with our communities at their Some three million people have gone without West Yorkshire Mayor will take on banking for all. heart. financial support from the start of the Covid-19 in investment, housing, transport And there is so much we can And in our co-operative values of equality, crisis, for instance. Food insecurity and hunger have and other areas will give us the do in the longer term, too. We democracy, community, and sharing power and grown as families struggle to make ends meet. And opportunity to put co-operative have seen in Manchester and wealth more fairly, we have the blueprint not just for many parents have been expected to make do with ideas and values at the very core its Co-operative Commission, what we’ll do in West Yorkshire, but how we’ll do it. scandalous standards of free school meals. of how we rebuild. for example, how we can best Because simply returning to the way things As the Labour and Co-operative MP for There are policies that we can hardwire co-operation into our were would be a missed opportunity. It is only by and Spen, I’ve been working hard to address these adopt in the short term to make local economy, to ensure a more creating the conditions for co-operation to thrive in shortfalls for people in my community and others an immediate difference. We just and equitable system that West Yorkshire and in communities right across the across the country. And as the proud Labour and have seen from our local councils works for us all – a plan we can country that we give ourselves the best possible Co-operative candidate for West Yorkshire Mayor, signing up to the Co-operative replicate as we forge a co- chance of owning the future we now look to build. it’s the co-operative movement that I’ll be looking Party’s Charter Against Modern operative path in West Yorkshire.

08 The08 The Pioneer Spring/Summer 2021 Feature 09 The Long Read BUILDING NEW SHARED FOUNDATIONS

Rt Hon Gordon Brown and refuse and return to a broken status quo. It is achieve more through co-operation Former Prime Minister abundantly clear that not to act will risk the jobs and than we achieve alone. That shared futures of too many people in this country. And inaction values are the foundation of strong also risks the unity of our . communities and that sustainable n a crisis the country needs to through leaks to the press, letters from the Welsh First Times of crisis require us to be imaginative, far- economies require a fair distribution come together. The desire to do Minister left unanswered and regional tiers announced sighted and driven from the bottom-up, drawing on of wealth and power. Mobilising the I so was shown by the way in every without even the courtesy of a phone call in advance to the best practice and insight of local leaders rather resources and campaigning power region and nation people applauded regional leaders. than imposed by an out-of-touch and over-centralised of the co-operative movement, the NHS and its dedicated staff And the pandemic – and now the recession – have Whitehall. which has always believed in every Thursday. But around the brutally exposed many divisions in our country – with And the devolution – to the nations and to the community power, devolution and country people are fed up, feel insensitivity on the Government’s part pitting the UK’s regions – we have is all too often undermined by too creative solutions to the challenges they have not been listened to or regions and nations against an inflexible and dismissive centralist a mindset, with ministers often paying only which face us, will be crucial in consulted when decisions about centre, widening the economic divide within our lip-service to localism. If we are to deal with pandemics, rebuilding trust and turning the tide lockdowns, tiers, quarantines, and country and communities, laying bare the gaps in living pollution and poverty, the voices of the regions and of recession. furloughs have been made. Too standards and even life expectancy between the rich nations have to be listened to and the centre has to Citizens’ assemblies were a often we have seen local lockdowns and poor. show it will work with them. unifying force in Ireland, and more imposed without local consultation, These divisions tell us what we have long known To build belief that we are all in this together, we recently are being deployed by communities discovering their to be true: either we reform and renew, creating must develop solutions together. Our co-operative co-operative councillors to address Christmas has been cancelled something fairer and more inclusive, or we resist movement offers up many of the answers, and that we the difficult choices that will be

10 The Pioneer Spring/Summer 2021 The Long Read 11 required in tackling climate change with the urgency it brings together the leaders of the Lords should be replaced by a Senate of the Nations nations, not enmity, and that we requires. Convening citizens’ assemblies to be part of a regions and nations in one forum. and Regions. succeed through solidarity and post-Covid resolution of our future will have this same The Joint Ministerial Committee But one thing we know for sure: any new settlement sharing. unifying effect. that was to be the bridge between must be built on the foundations of shared values. Where co-operation between the centre and the centre and Scotland, Wales and Britain cannot have a shared future without setting out localities has been exposed as wholly deficient, we Northern Ireland has now broken what we agree on. Indeed, we must forge a modern need to take steps to rebuild a stronger United Kingdom down. Not once has it met, other story about the values we have in common, the shared and consider changes which will unite our divided than on Brexit, during Johnson’s experiences of people and communities in every part of country. 16-month premiership. ‘Devolve the country, and the diverse cultural bonds that bind us First, we need to consider how to deliver a and forget’ should be replaced by together. redistribution of resources, opportunities and power, ‘devolve and include’ with a robust The co-operative movement has always been about based on needs – and whether there is a case for a process for bringing metro mayors the best of human values. It is through a focus on the new Barnett-style needs-based formula for allocating and local councils into national sentiments that inspire co-operation and reciprocity resources across the regions of England. What’s clear decision-making. – solidarity and empathy – that we expose narrow is that the era of one-size-fits-all is over, and there can Thirdly, we should consider how nationalism for what it truly is: an ideology that sees be no unity without recognition of diversity. to advance national integration the world in terms of a never-ending struggle between Secondly, we need to consider how we can improve through greater political inclusion. ‘us’, the insiders, and ‘them’, the outsiders. Rather co-operation between all layers of government. It is For example, we need to consider than a nationalism which seeks to divide us, we can extraordinary that, to this day, there is no body that whether the outdated House of demonstrate that our future lies in empathy across

12 The Pioneer Spring/Summer 2021 The Long Read 13 Campaigning Campaigning CO-OPERATIVE CAMPAIGNING

THROUGH Download resources from our Candidate Hub

We’ve collated all the digital resources we’ve LOCKDOWN produced for our candidates into one handy page - including Twibbons and Facebook ith local and devolved elections profile picture frames, Labour and Co- Order our postal vote Join our candidate training now confirmed to be taking place operative logos and branding, social media leaflets sessions Wthis May, Co-operative Party graphics and more. candidates and campaigners will have to find new ways to make an impact Access the Candidate Hub at For the first time in many years we have The Co-operative Candidate Development on the electorate. Here are a few ways party.coop/local/candidates agreed a joint national leaflet design with the Programme is underway, hosting regular we’re working to support our hundreds Labour Party. The joint postal vote leaflet training sessions online for Labour and Co- of candidates in this crucial year. encourages constituents to sign up to vote operative candidates across the UK. safely from home, as well as giving them Look out for our digital information about the Co-operative Party and We’ve recently run sessions on panel campaigning training what we stand for. interviews, how to get the Co-operative Party nomination, and preparing for selections, but With most physical campaign activity called Visit our candidate hub at it’s not just work - we also hold regular coffee off, the digital campaign is going to be more party.coop/local/candidates for links to buy mornings via Zoom for participants to get to important than ever. the leaflets from Labour or to download the know one another and have some downtime artwork to send to your preferred printers. from this year’s unusual campaigns. We’ve already held one training session - on using online surveys to engage your The leaflet is also available in a direct mail To find out more about the Co-operative constituents - which is available on our version. You can download selections on Candidate Development Programme and Candidate Hub. More written and video Contact Creator and send them out via apply to be a candidate, visit party.coop/ content will follow in the coming weeks the post. This costs around £125 per 250 ccdp to help you make the most of your online printed, stuffed and sent out for you in the presence - check back for updates. post. Contact [email protected] to place your order.

14 The Pioneer Spring/Summer 2021 Campaigning 15 the conversation Africa in the 1970s to find a fairer society in Britain. is underrepresented and My mother believed that London would provide her sometimes not heard. That much SEM MOEMA working opportunities not available to her as a young is evident over the last ten years black woman with ambition. My father came to of Tory austerity in the decisions Sem Moema is a Mayoral Advisor to the London as a political asylum seeker, after speaking made, whether it’s funding local Mayor of Hackney and Labour & Co- out against apartheid and being restricted in his government services, investment operative candidate for North East London in the London Assembly elections. career in a racially segregated society. in policing or making sure people’s homes are safe and What are your priorities for London if elected? affordable. The EU referendum The housing crisis and private renting is an area I and the summer of Black Lives have really championed as a Hackney councillor. Matter following George Floyd’s I’ve been the Mayoral Advisor for the Private Rented death have in different ways Sector and Affordability, a part time cabinet role, brought the idea of tolerance to since 2016. In that time I’ve introduced landlord the foreground in what I believe licensing to extend renters’ rights to 34,000 will ultimately be positive in the households in privately-rented homes, persuading future. three large housing associations to give 3-year tenancies to their tenants and stabilise rents and Being a part of the co-operative offer families stability and security without the fear movement, as a Labour of becoming homeless. I’ve also been working councillor and local activist as a with leaseholders and shared owners affected Black woman is something that by the cladding scandal in our borough, and I welcome. We need to build a have supported CLTs and housing co-ops when society based on our shared developing genuinely affordable new homes for co-operative values, especially Hackney residents. I want to bring this experience to equality, equity, and participation. City Hall, to support Sadiq’s ambitions to build social My advice to young people housing and also to encourage the establishment wanting to make a change in the of mutual models, such as housing co-operatives, world, to people from Black and What got you involved in politics? where possible. Minority Ethnic communities and After I moved to Hackney in the early 2000s, I to women, is simply: do it. Go for got involved in local politics. I’d been working in Sadly, politics remains a very white and male it. I know I try to make sure that international development and wanted to become dominated world – what would your advice be I can support others who were in politically active in the community I lived in. I went to other young women and Black, Asian and the same situation as me back from grassroots activism, campaigning for my Minority Ethnic members considering standing in 2006, and support them in local MP, Meg Hillier, which led me to apply to be for election in the future? how to get involved and achieve a councillor. I was first elected in 2006, and after Growing up in North London, there was the sense for themselves and for their a break, was elected again in 2016. I’ve been a that things were improving for Black and Minority communities. Being involved ward councillor for eight years, as well as having Ethnic communities. Like many Londoners, I feel in my community is rewarding the privilege of chairing my Hackney South and we’re losing that progress and things have stalled. and important to me, and those Shoreditch CLP, and now standing to be a London In areas like housing, the environment, education, are the voices we need more Assembly member to represent North East. policing and political decision making locally, of if our advocacy and the way regionally and nationally, the voices of women we live and work in our city is to But I was always political – my parents left South and of Black and Minority Ethnic communities meet a diverse range of needs.

16 The Pioneer Spring/Summer 2021 The Conversation 17 the conversation What are the issues you’ll be considering when We’ve long campaigned for you cast your vote? votes at 16, with our Party CAI PARRY For young people in Wales, the issues on our Chair Jim McMahon proposing minds are the environment, the union, education, a bill in Westminster to change Cai Parry is an A-Level student and Labour rising house prices and mental health funding. We the law – and we’re really activist in Cardiff. He is co-leader of Students need to take the climate emergency very seriously, excited that Wales’ Labour 4 Safe Studies, a grassroots campaign by students, fighting for students to get safe and if nobody else will, Wales should lead the way Government have led the way studies and fair assessments in 2021, for on this with decisive and radical action. With the here. What can we learn from a fairer deal in education. At 17, he will be rise of populist movements like YesCymru and the the Welsh experience as we among the cohort of first-time 16 and 17 year Abolish the Assembly Party, it’s important that we campaign elsewhere to extend old voters in the upcoming Welsh elections. take a modest approach that extends devolution, the franchise? and we should work with UK Labour to push for a Obviously, it helps to be in federal UK. government, and the extension of the franchise is a great How do you think Labour and Co-operative example of the progress Labour activists and politicians can engage young and can make when elected, but I first-time voters better? Do we need to change think the best thing we can do the way that we campaign? at any time is to combat the Young people in the past couple of years have idea that young people will be become far more politically active with rising corrupted by caring about politics economic inequality and the attention given to the or that young people aren’t climate crisis. It’s crucial that youth lead groups like mature enough to make these UKSCN, Teach the Future, and my own Students decisions. All of us 16-17 year 4 Safe Studies, are listened to by policy makers to olds are yet to be allowed to vote ensure that young voters are engaged and play an in general elections, and we can active role in how their futures are decided. use Wales as one in a whole library of examples of young people making mature decisions about our futures.

You’re 17 and voting for At 16 in the UK, people can join the first time in the Senedd the military, become parents, elections in May. What does it buy a lottery ticket, start one mean to you, to be part of the of the most crucial chapters in first cohort of 16 and 17 year their education, get a job and old voters ever in the UK? pay tax. Yet the right to vote on It’s a huge privilege to be able how government effects them to contribute to democracy for has only just been granted. It’s the first time. It feels like I’m a a great relief that we can see ‘the best thing we can do at any time part of history and that young that society is progressing in this is to combat the idea that young people are finally at the table to way. people will be corrupted by caring discuss how the country is run. about politics’

18 The Pioneer Spring/Summer 2021 The Conversation 19 Spotlight Spotlight

NORTHERN IRELAND: WHY WESTMINSTER: YOUNG LEADERSHIP IS VITAL Olivia Fletcher Co-operative Party OUR ROLE AS YOUR VOICE National Youth Committee

ocal action requires local at the core. That’s why the Youth Network is holding Preet Kaur Gill MP leaders. And it’s important that Young Candidates Training, where young members Chair, Co-operative L young people are filling those cam hear from some of the Co-operative Party’s best Parliamentary Party leadership roles. and youngest councillors, encouraging them to take on As the co-chair of the Co- leadership roles. ’ve long been proud to champion I am delighted to play a part in this proud history by operative Party Youth Network, The Youth Network has also held an online event on our co-operative values and building on Jim’s leadership and vision and leading our and Northern Ireland Youth how co-operation is preventing climate change. I solutions as a co-operative movement’s representation in Westminster. Representative, I know this. The role of young leadership is especially vital in Member of Parliament, and But we know here in Westminster that we are only a Throughout the pandemic, young Northern Ireland, where I represent young Co-operative following my friend Jim McMahon part of what makes the Co-operative Party such a force people have borne the brunt of Party members. When young people in the region work MP’s election as Chair of the for good. immense social upheaval. But together, instead of working against each other with Co-operative Party it was truly Because the strength in our movement has always they’ve also been key leaders in the sectarian politics of the past, they are building a an honour to follow him in been found in our ability to put our values into practice fighting back against the pandemic co-operative future. And as the Northern Ireland youth becoming the Chair of the Co- in our communities and make a real difference on the within the Cooperative movement. representative, I encourage that. operative Parliamentary Group in ground. The Co-operative Party Westminster. So as we look ahead to the upcoming elections, Youth Network is nourishing that The Co-operative Party has it’s more important than ever that we’re able to work leadership, because I want young been a voice for co-operative values alongside passionate and effective co-operators at all people to feel empowered in in the places where decisions levels to do just that. changing their local communities are made for over a century, and for the better, with co-operation

20 The Pioneer Spring/Summer 2021 Spotlight 21 Spotlight Spotlight SCOTLAND: A MODEL FOR US ALL TO FOLLOW WALES: WHY 16 YEAR OLDS Cllr Kirsteen Sullivan Scottish Labour & Co- operative Councillor in West Lothian NEED TO USE THEIR VOTE am proud to be standing as a us all fed. Sadly, many of these workers have had to Scottish Labour and Co-operative face violence, threats, and abuse. Sarah Murphy first-time voters, there are an array ‘Our Co-opera- I candidate in Linlithgow. I have In Scotland, the co-operative movement has shown Welsh Labour & of policies that you are engaged tive Party will been impressed by the practical leadership in calling for legislation to protect retail Co-operative Senedd with. In particular, you want to talk approach of the Co-operative Party. workers. Co-operative politicians in councils and in the candidate for Bridgend to me about access to professional always stand I am proud to have worked have responded to the plight of mental health and wellbeing shoulder to to promote food justice in West retail workers by campaigning for greater protection of n February 2020, with provision; your education, lifelong Lothian and to have taken on board retail workers. overwhelming support from our learning and job opportunities; shoulder with the Co-operative Party’s campaign Leadership and action by Co-operative Party I Welsh Labour and Co-operative and the climate emergency and you, because for the Right to Food. This is a politicians like Daniel Johnson MSP has led to the Party Members of the Senedd, zero-waste strategy for Wales. I’m campaign that demonstrates the Scottish Parliament passing legislation which will our Welsh Government passed confident that our Co-operative we believe that best of the Co-operative Party. offer greater protection to retail workers. This was the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Party will always stand shoulder cooperative It combines local action, for a campaign that demonstrated that local action and Act that lowered the minimum to shoulder with you, because we politics is example supporting food banks, local leadership can make a real difference to our of National Assembly believe that cooperative politics is with local leadership, for example communities. elections to 16. This momentous about sharing power and giving a about sharing campaigning for the right to food to Protecting retail workers was a policy supported decision came after a passionate voice to ordinary people. Ultimately, power and be enshrined in law. by Co-operative retail societies and by trade unions and determined campaign by young as more decisions are being made Co-operative politics is about such as Usdaw. It was a policy delivered in part by people across the UK, along with about your lives, it is vital that you giving a voice taking action and showing a campaigns by Co-operative Party members and MSPs the Votes at 16 Coalition and our have your say via the ballot box to ordinary concern for our communities. The in the Scottish Parliament. I am looking for the UK Co-operative Party members. It over your future and the future of concern about food justice has Government to follow our example and deliver more means that 100,000 new voters our nation. people’ demonstrated this. protection to retail workers. have the opportunity to vote in our During the lockdown we have The Protection of Retail Workers Act demonstrates Senedd election this year, which is seen our retail workers going above what Scottish Co-operative Party politicians can very exciting. and beyond the call of duty to keep achieve if we listen to our communities, it is a model for When speaking to young and us all to follow.

22 The Pioneer Spring/Summer 2021 Spotlight 23 Update Update EVENTS

Issy Oozeerally Events Co-ordinator, Co-operative Party

EQUALITIES The ongoing restrictions mean we’re Conferences Co-operators have been at the forefront of equalities not able to meet face to face, but There will be online conferences in since the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers A Coronavirus can’t stop us co-operating! every region and nation this year, where Chantal Lee Equalities Officer, opened its doors to all those over 16, giving each Our programme of online events brings you’ll hear from Co-operative Party Co-operative Party member a vote, regardless of their shareholding and members together to discuss our polices and elected representatives, campaigners and explicitly stating that men and women would enjoy campaigns, listen to speakers from across the members, as well as having your say on equal voting. This move set the standard for what co-op and labour movements, and share your our Policy Process: we expect from political parties and societies today, ideas – all from the comfort and safety of your • Owning the Future Regional & n its most basic form, equality and it is in that vein that I hope to carry out my role own home! National Conferences is the idea of all being equal, as Equalities Officer. By being willing as a party to Here are some of our upcoming events – Spring 2021 Iregardless of the characteristics pioneer, be at the forefront and, where necessary, to they are free, online and open to all members • Co-operative Party Online Policy we may hold. But as co-operators fight for greater equality for all who face barriers and – find out more atparty.coop/events Conference our idea of equalities goes further, disadvantages within society. 19 June 2021 not just wanting all to be equal Whilst this new role builds on a strong heritage of Remember, you don’t need to have a • Co-operative Party Online Annual but being willing to work to level championing equalities in our Party and movement, computer to take part in many of these events Conference & AGM the playing field and fighting for all from gender balance on our NEC to networks to – you can dial in from your phone instead! 9-10 October 2021 to be able to enjoy and reap the empower diverse members and amplify their voices, • Co-operative Party Local benefits of social and economic I am aware that there remain challenges ahead and Co-operation Live Government Conference development. I hope you’ll join me in tackling them so that we, as a Our weekly Co-operation Live sessions 20 November 2021 movement, are the very best we can be. are a chance to hear from interesting speakers, learn something new and find Local Branch Events Our member-led networks play an important role in making sure our Party is open, out how communities are organising in As well as these events, your local accessible and represents the diversity and talent of society. There are five networks, response to the pandemic. branch should now also be meeting online. each with a steering committee elected by members. If you would like to receive updates, If your branch has yet to meet or you make sure to update your membership to opt-in at: party.coop/equalities have an idea for a local event, contact the Team: [email protected]

24 The Pioneer Spring/Summer 2021 Update 25 ® Update

What we do is simple, but revolutionary

FAIRTRADE, ORGANIC & POLICY PROCESS BIODEGRADABLE. Taking part is easy: Anna Birley Policy Officer, • You can contribute by responding to our Exclusively natural Co-operative Party consultation: either with your own personal views in an “individual submission” or with your local party as flavour - no artificial a “group submission”. ur policy platform sets the • To make a group submission, local parties can additives agenda for our party and its organise online meetings to debate the topics and O representatives, and puts write their response. We’ve put together some forward our to-do list for Parliament. resources to help you organise an engaging policy In the tradition of co-operation, our meeting, which will be regularly added to and policy process is member-led and updated. this is your opportunity to shape • If you want to learn more about the topic before the ideas we’ll take to all levels of making your submission, attend your local regional Government. conference! At each regional conference, we’ll This year, the policy consultation be holding a policy debate on both of the chosen will focus on two areas – one seeks topics – so you can to tackle the crisis in our social care learn more about co- sector, the other at how we save operative approaches and revitalise our town centres and to these issues. Soilon™ Mesh high streets. You’re invited to share Check our website for your views and ideas through our more information - no plastic consultation, running until 11 June. party.coop/policy/2021

Use code ‘COOPPARTY10’ for 10% off in our online store!

@revolvercoop 26 The Pioneer Spring/Summer 2021 01902 345345 www.revolverworld.com WE BELIEVE IN A SOCIETY WHERE WEALTH AND POWER ARE SHARED.

Covid-19 poses new challenges, but the crisis We’re powered and funded by our has shown how desperately we need a fairer, members. Your regular contributions help greener and more co-operative economy. us make a real difference and be a louder voice for our movement. Over the past few months your support has helped us to launch Owning the Future We know times are tough, but can you chip – setting out our vision for a co-operative in an extra donation to help us build a fairer economy; enabled us to campaign on future? important issues like food justice and modern day slavery; and allowed us to put in place new organisers ahead of next May’s elections.

HIGHER RATE 100 CLUB RATE 1917 CLUB RATE £5.20 per month £8.50 per month £19.17 per month * Help us make a difference * Help us make a difference * Help us make a difference and scale up our work and scale up our work and scale up our work * Free pin to say thanks * Free pin to say thanks * Free pin to say thanks * Free gift from our Shop * Free gift from our Shop * Free tickets to our events * Free tickets to our events * Free copies of publications * Named in our Annual Report

To support our work visit party.coop/increase