Guardian letter calls for Co-op group not to break party link

A letter published in today’s Guardian signed by prominent members from across labour movement calls for the Co-op group to reject breaking the link with the Co-op Party when it comes to a members’ ballot next month.

Signatories include director of Progress Richard Angell, general secretary of the Fabians Andrew Harrop, Blue Labour founder Maurice Glasman, chair of Compass Neal Lawson, and LabourList editor Mark Ferguson, among others.

The letter states:

“The Co-op’s member-owners should resist any moves to break their century-long partnership with the Co-operative party. Having the right values and beliefs is necessary but not sufficient. To change Britain, the co-operative movement needs political influence – a seat at the table when decisions are being made. The Co-operative party has delivered that and it will be to the detriment of us all if it came to an end. The Co-operative group’s roots were in a mass-membership movement dedicated to fighting exploitation and profiteering, a movement as relevant now as it ever was. We hope its 8 million members today will defend their political partnership with the Co-op party.”

The latest is the latest push in the ‘Keep it Co-op’ campaign, which last week released this video arguing against the split. You can read the letter in full here.