CO-OPERATIVE Group members have voted to continue funding their Labour-affiliated “political wing” the Co-operative Party.

The highly contentious decision was taken at the group’s annual meeting in Manchester on Saturday.

The Co-operative Party was established in 1917 to promote co-operation as an alternative to capitalism and to defend consumer interests.

It forged close links with the Labour Party and today there are 24 joint Labour-Co-op MPs.

The Co-operative Group has faced huge financial difficulties over the last three years, including the collapse of the Co-op Bank and the sale of Co-operative Pharmacy, Co-operative Farms and cash courier Sunwin.

But proposals that the Co-operative Group cease funding the party were thrown out at Saturday’s meeting.

Left-wing former Labour MEP Michael McGowan has been involved in the co-operative movement for more than 50 years and is a member of the Co-operative Party.

Mr McGowan, who represented Leeds in the European Parliament, said that the decision was “a vote of confidence in those who are committed to promoting co-operative business through parliamentary and local government initiatives and an expression of faith and confidence in promoting co-operative and democratic values and principles across society.”

He added: “It is a setback to those who want to see the Co-op Group go down the path of becoming simply a business owned by private shareholders interested only in profits for the few with little regard for fair trade and/or community values.”

Mr McGowan said that the decision to keep funding the party was also “an expression of confidence in the ability of the Co-operative Group to move forward with success” in the wake of the Co-op’s financial problems.
peterlazenby@peoples-press.com