Cornwall Branch launch - 22 Aug 2009
Press Release:
At a recent meeting in St Austell, County members of the Co-operative Party voted unanimously to form a Co-operative Party Branch in Cornwall.
The meeting had been called by the South Western Co-operative Party Council in response to new rules adopted by the Co-operative Party, which allow for branches to organise on more sensible geographical areas; previously they had been based on parliamentary boundaries. The meeting was held at the training room of the Co-operative Group's shop in West Hill, St Austell.
This was the first meeting of a Cornwall wide Co-operative Party. Among those attending were: Dave Doyle (SW Co-operative Party Council), Saxon Spence (SW Co-operative Party Council Hon. Sec.), Richard Westlake (Exeter Branch Co-operative Party ), Jude Robinson (Labour PPC Redruth Camborne and Hayle CLP), Candy Atherton (ex-MP, Labour), Lee Jameson (Labour PPC St Austell and Newquay). A number of apologies were received from members unable to attend; they gave encouragement for the future.
A discussion was held as part of an informal agenda. Dave Doyle and Saxon Spence opened with the proposal that, 'Co-operation is a way of organising and a form of politics based on values and principles, whose time had come'. This was proposed in view of the present credit crisis, and the general malaise in British politics; resulting from the revelations about MPs' expenses.
A number of decisions were taken at the meeting:
- Formal Resolution: 'This meeting agrees to the setting up of a Cornwall Branch Co-operative Party.' This was agreed unanimously.
- Dave Doyle to be co-ordinator until a formal AGM can be arranged.
- Joint Street stalls with the Labour Party.
- Develop Policy and activity; particularly on Fair Trade, mutual banking, employment, affordable housing and transportation; also on other issues in relation to Co-operation in Cornwall.
- It was also agreed to hold a well publicised public meeting locally, if possible inviting Michael Stevenson (General Secretary Co-operative Party) and David Rogers (CDS: Co-operative Development Society), to talk about affordable housing and Community Land Banks. This would allow for public discussion about alternatives to the present proposals for large scale developments in the St Austell area, and across Cornwall.
Richard Westlake gave an excellent and well received talk on Transportation in the South West, and Cornwall in particular. He raised issues about rail and road transport in terms of passengers and freight. He also reflected on the necessity for air transport if rail could be made cost effective, fast and convenient. It was agreed that transport is an issue that we should be campaigning on, and Dave Doyle thanked Richard for his informative and very thought provoking contribution.
"The Co-operative Party was formed shortly after the 'Pioneers' in Rochdale, Lancashire started their own Co-operative shop in Toad Lane in that town. This party was to provide a political voice in Parliament for the then struggling Co-operative retail movement. The Co-operative Party is part of the world wide Co-operative movement and is a sister party of, but not affiliated to the Labour Party."
09 Sept 2009