The Co-operative Party

Gareth became Chair of the Co-operative Party in 2000.

The Co-operative Party is the political voice of the co-operative movement, which includes co-operatives and mutuals that operate in all sectors of the economy and society, from food retailing and banking to housing and leisure services. Co-operatives are driven by more than the pursuit of profit; they are run according to a set of values and principles and are grounded in the communities they serve.

One of Gareth's major achievements as a backbencher was to successfully steer though Parliament the Industrial and Provident Societies Act. It represented a major breakthrough for co-operatives, and brought legislation governing co-operatives into line with companies in certain important respects. It also opened the way for new co-operatively run public services.

In his speech to Labour Party Conference in 2008, Gareth heralded the success of co-operative and mutual businesses, which are thriving as never before; they have the capacity to give people real power in their communities over the services they use, and how they are run.

For more information please visit the Co-operative Party Website

Read Gareth's opinion piece on the eve of Co-operative Party Conference 2009 here