The Government’s new Civil Society Strategy consultation includes co-operatives – because they’re part of ‘civil society’ in the Westminster mindset. With half-hearted approval, Co-ops UK notes that “where co-ops are going in terms of platforms, social action and worker control is too radical for DCMS [Department of Culture, Media & Sport] just now.
“The Strategy is far more preoccupied with initiatives to help charities to digitise their operations … not what we‘d pitched for. There is some encouraging but also vague stuff around supporting more investment in ‘social tech’ ventures (…) how business can be more responsible and socially good. It doesn’t mention links between ownership and purpose.”
Let’s hope the next administration is more aware of the depth of the co-operative vision, purpose, and reforms needed to promote co-operative ownership.
Written by Jonathan