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The Political Opportunity. Pre 2000, demutualisation shrinking the UK sector Period of business stabilisation then growth 2008 Financial crisis a shock to the economic system Now there is a political consensus moving in favour of mutuals. Key Objectives.
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The Political Opportunity • Pre 2000, demutualisation shrinking the UK sector • Period of business stabilisation then growth • 2008 Financial crisis a shock to the economic system • Now there is a political consensus moving in favour of mutuals
Key Objectives • To build a cross party political consensus for mutuals • Develop a policy ‘shopping list’ for the UK Government • Build sectoral buy-in for this programme • Influence political parties to adopt pro-mutual policy and programmes
Secondary Benefits • Educate key policy makers about mutuals • Consolidate background resources promoting mutuals • Raise the profile of the sector and businesses within it • Build closer relationships with political parties • Build solidarity among mutuals
Process • Gather support from sector trade bodies • Series of meetings with sector experts • Each sector responsible for their own content • Advise and facilitate the development of headline messages • Meet with political parties to explain our objectives
Process • The Manifesto is divided into four sections: • The case for co-operatives & mutuals • What co-operatives and mutuals need from the Government • How co-operatives and mutuals can help Britain • Chapters on the component parts of the co-operative and mutual sector
Using the Manifesto • It is a central reference tool for politicians when working with co-operatives and mutuals • Party general election manifestos reflected our campaigning • Dialogue led to new policy discussions • Others have been able to run campaigns on specific policy areas from the manifesto • It has attracted global interest
And it actually works • Cross-party consensus in favour of co-operatives & mutuals • Many new mutuals have been established in health, education & local government sectors • There are over 2 million more mutual members as a result of this work • The Coalition Agreement commits the UK Government to promote mutuals • New long term engagement with politicians with a higher benchmark
Co-operatives • Key Issues: • Advocacy/Policy leadership • Legislation • Fiscal Policy • Business support • Capital Raising