Call for Scottish National Party leadership candidates to back co-operatives

It is important that whoever becomes First Minister of Scotland after 27 March renews previous government commitments relating to co-operatives and community wealth building.

Calls to back co-operatives and community wealth building will be stronger if Scottish co-operatives speak directly to the three candidates in the SNP leadership election.

We are asking all Scottish co-operators to email the three candidates, asking them to make two pledges that recommit their government to supporting co-operative growth, community wealth building and co-operative housing.  

What do I need to do?

1. Copy and paste the suggested template email (below)
2. Copy and paste this subject line: Pledge your support for co-operatives and community wealth building
3. Add your sign off, which we suggest should include any Scottish co-operatives you are a member of
4. Send the email to Ash Regan ([email protected]), Humza Yousaf ([email protected]) and Kate Forbes ([email protected])

Template email

Dear Ash, Humza and Kate

I’m writing to you as one of over 450,000 members of co-operatives here in Scotland. Our great co-operative movement demonstrates the potential for a fairer, greener, stronger Scotland. Evidence shows that co-ops are more resilient, better at creating good jobs, and more likely to cut their carbon emissions, than businesses generally.  

In 2021 Scottish government made bold new commitments relating to co-operatives and community wealth building. I am calling on those standing to become the next First Minister to renew these commitments, through two pledges:

Pledge #1: Community Wealth Building and co-operative growth  

I will maintain Scottish Government’s commitment to community wealth building, including by supporting the growth of co-operatives and other inclusive business models. 

Pledge #2: Co-operative Housing 

I will ensure Scottish Government delivers on its Shared Policy Programme commitment to support co-operative housing.  

Please ensure Scottish co-operatives know that you back them, by publicly making these pledges.

Yours sincerely,