Member consultation: Help shape our policy priorities

Co-operatives UK undertakes focused activity to influence public policy that benefits co-operatives and the co-operative economy. To be effective, our focus must be guided by the priorities of our members.

Ahead of the next UK general election, Co-operatives UK is inviting its members to consult so that the sector has clear policy priorities.

Policy consultation – the plan

This summer Co-operatives UK will publish a call on political parties to back co-operatives, setting out the sector's priorities. It aims to secure broad backing from our movement:

1. Co-operatives UK is inviting its members to comment on and suggest changes to a draft of four policy priorities and wider call on political parties. The draft priorities have emerged from a programme of member workshops and other engagement over the past six months.

2. At Co-op Congress, attendees will get the chance to debate and take an advisory vote on our proposed policy priorities. This will inform Co-operatives UK’s next Policy Influencing Plan, subject to Co-operatives UK Board approval in October.

3. This year, it will also inform the final version of a communication to political parties ahead of the next UK General Election, to be published soon after Congress.

Links for how to get involved

• Read the draft policy policy priorities
• Submit feedback and suggest amendments to our draft – by midnight 12 June 2023
• Join us at Co-op Congress to these priorities in person (the session will be on Saturday 17 June)