South West Co-operative Party Weekend School - 2011
Brunel Manor, Torquay 22-23 Jan 11
My weekend started by meeting Somerset branch Chair Martin Jevon in Taunton for a lift (thanks Martin).
After booking in etc I then attended our usual South West party council meeting chaired by Martin Jevon.
Followed by as usual an excellent lunch.
The afternoon session was chaired by Exeter Cllr Ian Martin and former chair of Party Council.
The first speaker was Mark Craig Director Co-op affairs with Group who spoke on The Co-operative Group and the Big Society. His background: been part of Co-op/Labour since 1970's with co-op movement for 28 years; said he was a 'non-state-ist socialist'. Among his main points were:
The big society agenda has possible ability to split co-operative movement
- Timing of introduction during cuts
- Need for robust debate on big society
- Group and movement in strong position compared to 10years ago
- 'Conservative view big society & small state'
Next speaker: Cllr Tudor Evans (Plymouth City Council) who spoke on Co-operative Opportunities in Local Government.
His main points were:
- Failures of outsourcing council services (his bible!)(Asset Transfer book 2002).
- Examples of well run Mutual/co-operative models of services including Health, Leisure, housing etc.
- Involve community to help, as all Councillors not well informed in all subject areas.
- Local councillors will need to be brave and give up some responsibilities and trust.
Final speaker of afternoon was ex- Stroud Labour/Coop MP Dave Drew with talk on Winning back rural Britain.
Main points:
- After Westminster politics, now hoping to be a local councillor.
- Setting out to do Ph.D, on Labour rural policy/achievements over the last 30 years.
- Held Stroud for 13 years due in part to Labour policy for rural areas with help from Co-operative movement.
- There has been liitle research into social/political opportunities for Labour in rural areas.
- Prove to Labour/Co-op movement that it gives up on rural Britain at its peril.
- Did some sampling after election and we did not lose votes as much as expected in rural areas.
- Labour achieved much during the 1930's and 40's, 1947 Planning Act based on this work.
- 1997: Two main manifesto commitments to rural policy
- 'Hunting with Dogs' in which 2/3 thirds of country supported and still do.
- 'Right to Roam' some of which did not go through parliament till later years of Labour Government - mostly successful and well supported.
- There is much disadvantage and poverty hidden in rural areas.
- Have to face reality that blanket state provision model does not work well in rural areas, use good mutual co-operative movement solutions.
This was followed by lively Question and Answer session the usual workshop discussion and report back.
Sunday 23rd January 2011
The days' session was chaired expertly by Richard Tomlinson:
Michael Stephenson Co-op party secretary on 'The Co-operative Party in Opposition'
Main points:
- Party has largest ever Co-op/Labour group ever with 28 MPs and 16 peers in Lords.
- We should reach 9,000 members soon.
- Need to retain membership interest at meetings etc (NEC focus)
- Party needs wide diversity of membership: Women, Youth and BME.
- Emphasise to Labour that 24 Co-op Party Policies used in their Manifesto.
- Achieved at last from electoral commission - the ability to use Labour logo for Labour/Coop candidates in local elections this year.
- Need to convince Unions of Cooperative ideals, not vehicle for privatisation.
- Acknowledge Con-Dem ideas that are good (don't just carp from sidelines).
- Party working on rebuttal of policy U-turns, since being in government (Northern Rock etc).
- Build and promote good practice.
This was followed by second speaker Dame Pauline Green President of I.C.A who spoke on: 'Co-operation Abroad –Lessons for the UK'
Main points:
- This is a moment in history.
- Collapse of financial sector across the world has created a flight towards Mutual co-op institutions.
- Agenda drive towards 2012 the International year of co-operation
- 3 million already promised to United Nations for event being run by International Co-operative Alliance (I.C.A.) in Geneva (established in 1895 with 240 members active in 85 countries).
- Purpose and message is to raise public awareness and campaign to raise Global visibility of Mutual/Co-operative models of business. 90 governments signed up to this U.N international event (unknown before)
- 'Global 300' Co-ops worth 1.3 trillion dollars worldwide, this is equivalent to largest economy in the world.
- Theme 'Co-operative Enterprises-Build a Fairer world'. With common logo, materials evidence based, and clear message outcome wanted at end of 2012 Community Development Fund.
Followed by Final speaker Alun Michael MP for Cardiff and Penarth who spoke on:
Influence in Opposition: A view from the Commons.
Main points:
- Recent development of policy within settlement from coalition government and the different agendas from both Welsh and Scottish Governments.
- Need for regional government and English regions (London would be prime area)
- Influence in opposition; create long-term policy for future.
- Cameron's risky policy of quick cuts & pain now, then economy comes good in time for next election, risk to economy in the short term.
- Defend Labour's 13 year record.
- Analyze decisions from now for next 4 years and mount intelligent debate on any deviation etc on policy.
- Labour MP's still appeared fresh and they want to look, and be ready for, Government (unexpected after defeat).
- Do not give credence to 'Big Society' exposé as cover for cuts and shift of blame, use Civil or Fair instead.
- Accept Tory Co-operative language but hold to account and make them accept what public want.
- Rhodri Morgan did comparison between Wales and England coalition model and Welsh model worth copying.
There followed a Question and Answer session with all three speakers and after break for coffee we had group discussion and reporting back followed by lunch.
So finished another well organised and stimulating weekend, meeting up with fellow co-operators from around the west and to speak face to face with MP's etc.
Many thanks to the Branch for allowing me to attend this worthwhile annual event
Ian Grady