Towards a Co-operative Economy

In recent weeks voices from across the labour and co-operative movements (and three quarters of the public when polled!) have backed our vision for an economy in which wealth and power are shared. Help us spread the word:

Together, our ideas on employee ownership, profit sharing and greater support for the co-operative sector add up to a radical alternative - one in which everyone has a stake in our economy, and a share of its success.

Since being published in our 2015 'Agenda for Britain', these ideas have received a lot of attention, especially in the past fortnight. Here are some of the highlights:

• Our Chair Gareth Thomas' bill in Parliament, which would require large companies to share some of their profits with staff, and ensure they are represented on company boards Watch clip and read speech
• Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell's speech in Manchester, where he backed our plans for employee ownership when a firm is put up for sale Read his speech
• Last week's Prime Minister's Questions, at which Gareth Thomas asked the PM whether it's time to back profit sharing for firms such as Sports Direct Watch clip
• Coverage in the Daily Mirror and Morning Star of polling commissioned by the Party, which shows that three quarters of of the public support our plans.
• General Secretary Claire McCarthy's letter in the Independent, raising the example of Glas Cymru in Wales as an alternative to rip-off privatised water firms. Read the letter here

It's been a busy few weeks. Bit by bit, our ideas and our co-operative values are showing there's a better way. If you're with us, help spread the word.
 

Join us for Fairtrade Coffee Morning !

The Co-operative Party East Sussex Branch and the Fairtrade Movement

invite you to a Coffee Morning on Saturday 27 February 2016 10.30-12.30 at St Luke's Church Parish Centre, Rattle Road ,Westham, Pevensey East Sussex BN24 5SL (By crossroads... map here)

Come and find out more about the Fairtrade movement and the Co-op Party on the eve of Fairtrade Fortnight. One of the Co-op Party's main commitments is to the Fairtrade movement but also campaigns on other people centred local issues. Find out how the two movements campaign and how you could get involved.

Entrance Free: Tea or Coffee and homemade cake £1

Come and try and buy a variety of Fairtrade products: Clothing,coffee, rice, bananas, chocolate and more !

Branch Meeting: Saturday 21st November

There will be a meeting of the East Sussex Branch of the Co-operative Party on Saturday 21st November, 2015 10.30am

at the Central Methodist Church, Langney Road, Eastbourne.

A G E N D A

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Minutes of the last ordinary  meeting  held March 2015 (and draft minutes available  from the June AGM)

3. Matters Arising

4. Reports:

         a) Membership

         b) Treasurer

         c) Constituency Labour Parties

         d) Sussex Co-operative Party Council

5. Conference Reports and next steps;  Jane Marter will report from the Co-op Party Annual Conference, and Paul Richards from Labour Party conference.  

6. Co-op Campaigning- including the BBC Co-operative campaign

7. Any other business

Tea and Coffee will be available at the meeting.

Congratulations to our new General Secretary (an Eastbourne girl !)

We are especially pleased by appointment of Claire McCarthy as the General Secretary of the Co-operative Party.  Claire first joined the Labour Party in Eastbourne, and was secretary of Eastbourne Young Labour, before leaving us for Cardiff University- from where she was elected to the Labour Party NEC as its Youth Representative.

As Head of External and Political Affairs, Claire has played a key role in the Party’s activity over the past two years.

She has led on much of our work with the wider co-operative movement, while the Party’s recent success in securing credit union services for the armed forces is but one example of the skill with which she has overseen the Party’s work with Co-operative MPs and Peers.

Claire McCarthy has more than ten years experience as a Special Adviser, public affairs professional and charity leader developing public policy ideas, influencing policy and political debates and changing legislation.

Having worked as a Special Adviser when Labour were in government and served on the Labour Party National Executive Committee and National Policy Forum, Claire is well-placed to develop our vital relationship with the new Labour leadership. Her influencing skills were put to good use in the run up to May’s General Election when she won key policy commitments within Labour’s policy platform and pledges to implement Co-operative Party proposals from Ed Miliband.

As we look towards the Party’s Centenary in 2017, Claire’s combination of co-operative movement, Labour party and wider political and policy experience puts the Party in an excellent position to take on the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Open Party Meeting in Hove: Come and Join Us !

South East Region Co-operative Party

Open Party Meeting

Saturday 31 October 2015 at the Cornerstone Community Centre, Church Road, Hove, BN3 2FL - 10-30 a.m. to 1-30 p.m.

Come and join us!

Discussions will include “Moving on from the General Election and the Labour Party leadership election”

Discussion leaders will include: Matt Rodda – Councillor and former PPC for Reading, Michelle Harfield – National Youth Committee representative for South East, Lynda McDermott – former Member, National Members’ Council, Co-op Group.

For further information contact Les Lawrie, Secretary, SERP, on by email here or  phone 07919 935481.

The scheduled meeting for Saturday 12th September has been postponed due to several members attending the Special Labour Conference that day. Details of new date soon.

Co-operators and the Labour Leadership

For almost a century, the Co-operative Party and the Labour party have stood together to build a society where power is more fairly shared. As Labour elects its next leader and deputy leader, the Co-operative Party organised an opportunity for members to hear what the candidates have to say on issues of importance to our movement. The video below covers the whole of the leadership hustings which took place on 21st July 2015 in London.