Good turnout for "Our Girl" Claire!

The East Sussex Branch proudly welcomed General Secretary Claire McCarthy back to her home town at our meeting on 11th February.

Claire spoke to a well-attended meeting about Co-op campaigns, and how we can support these going forward.  There were questions and discussions on a range of issues- including co-operative solutions as part of bringing rail back into public ownership; what the future is for co-operation in schools, and how our relationship should develop with the Co-operative Bank and other mutual businesses.

Claire spoke of the need not just to maintain our strength in Parliament and the devolved governments, but also to build the numbers of Co-operative local councillors in authorities up and down the country.

The Branch is proud to be supporting the prospective candidacies of several co-operators in the forthcoming East Sussex elections.  The branch also endorsed Andrew Pakes for the Co-operative Party NEC and Dave Brinson for the National Disciplinary Committee.

Most members were able to stay for an excellent lunch from Ellie at the RAFA.

Policy 2016- have your say !

Following feedback from Party members and review, the policy sub-committee of the NEC agreed to produce three ‘policy summary’ documents based around the following themes:

Secure and Confident Communities

Building a Shared Economy

Creating a More Equal Society

Click on any of the images to find out more, and how you can have your input !

Co-Operative Day School

A Conference/Day School for members of the Co-operative Party in the South East is being held on 24 November. It will take place in the Reading International Solidarity Centre, 35-39 London Street, Reading , RG1 4PS. This is about 10 minutes walk from Reading station.

Speakers include Colin Wilkes of the Schools Co-operative Society,  Cllr Steve Reed, leader of Lambeth Council on Co-operative Councils and General Secretary Karen Wilkie on increasing the involvement of women and young people in the Co-operative Party.

Conference fee is £20 per person, which will include simple buffet lunch, coffee/tea on arrival and departure.  Further details can be read at the Co-operative Party website here.