Labour and Co-operative Party facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Labour and Co-operative Party
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Parliamentary Group Chair | Preet Gill |
| Parliamentary Group Vice-Chair | Jim McMahon |
| Founded | 7 June 1927 |
| Ideology |
|
| Political position | Centre-left |
| Colours |
|
| House of Commons |
43 / 650
|
| House of Lords |
15 / 777
|
| Scottish Parliament |
11 / 129
|
| Senedd |
16 / 60
|
| London Assembly |
10 / 25
|
| Local government |
1,600 / 19,698
|
| PCCs and PFCCs |
15 / 37
|
| Directly elected mayors |
11 / 25
|
The Labour and Co-operative Party (often called Labour Co-op) is a special way that politicians in the United Kingdom can stand for election. It means they are supported by two different political groups: the Labour Party and the Co-operative Party.
These candidates work together under an agreement made in 1927. This agreement helps both parties avoid competing against each other in elections. It also sets rules for how they choose joint candidates and work together.
In the July 2024 election, 43 Labour and Co-operative Party Members of Parliament (MPs) were elected. This was the most ever elected under this name. They form the fourth largest group in the House of Commons. Even though they have a special name, these MPs are usually counted as part of the Labour Party's total. The leader of the Co-operative Parliamentary Group is Preet Gill, and the vice-leader is Jim McMahon.
What is Labour and Co-operative?
The name "Labour and Co-operative" is officially registered with the Electoral Commission. This means it can appear next to a candidate's name on election ballot papers. When someone is elected with this name, they continue to be known as Labour and Co-operative Party members.
These elected members often meet as their own group. For example, MPs are part of the main Parliamentary Labour Party. But they also join with Labour Co-op members from the House of Lords to form the Co-operative Parliamentary Group.
Most Labour and Co-operative candidates use this joint name. However, for some local elections or elections in Scotland, Wales, and London, they might use only one name. This is to make sure voters don't get confused and think Labour and Co-operative candidates are running against Labour candidates. Even if only one name is used, these candidates are still part of the Labour and Co-operative Group if they win.
Labour and Co-operative candidates and elected officials also use a special joint logo on their campaign materials and websites.
How the Partnership Started
The Labour Party began in February 1900. The Co-operative Party started later, in October 1917. At first, they worked separately. But both parties saw themselves as part of a bigger movement. They both wanted to help similar groups of voters.
Locally, the parties started to work together. They made informal agreements to support the same candidates. This helped them get more votes for politicians who shared their ideas. The first Co-operative Party MPs also joined the larger Labour Party group when they entered the House of Commons.
In 1925, they began to form a national partnership. They created a "Joint Committee" to work on a formal agreement. This agreement was approved in June 1927 at a meeting called the Co-operative Congress. This became the first "National Agreement," also known as the "Cheltenham Agreement."
The agreement has been updated many times over the years. Each update made the partnership stronger. Earlier versions had rules, like limiting how many joint candidates could run. These limits were gradually removed. The most recent National Agreement was signed in 2003. It explains how candidates are chosen and how the two parties can work together across the country.
More to Explore
- List of Labour and Co-operative Party MPs
See also
In Spanish: Partido Laborista y Cooperativo para niños
