Social democracy Socialism Communism Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Other Co-operative Party Limited[6] (Welsh: Y Blaid Gydweithredol) is a centre-left political party in the United Kingdom, supporting co-operative values and principles.

The Co-operative Party also has representatives in the House of Lords, the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Senedd, the London Assembly and some local government authorities.

Since the 1930s, it has widened its emphasis, using influence gained through strong links with the political and commercial left to spread what it sees as the co-operative ethos and moral principles.

The party stands for a sustainable economy and society, and a culture of citizenship and socially responsible business represented by the practice of retail and industrial co-operatives.

As it was somewhat unsatisfactory to have to lobby MPs on each individual issue, motions were passed at the Co-operative Union Annual Congress urging direct parliamentary representation.

At the start of the First World War, the many retail societies in the co-operative movement grew in both membership and trade; this was due, in part, because of their very public anti-profiteering stance.

When conscription was introduced and food and fuel supplies restricted, these societies began to suffer.

Co-operatives received minimal supplies and even management were often drafted, whereas business opponents were able to have even clerks declared vital for the war effort.

[citation needed] A motion was tabled at the 1917 Congress held in Swansea by the Joint Parliamentary Committee and 104 retail societies, calling for direct representation at national and local government levels.

In his 1932 election address, High Wycombe's first-elected Co-operative Party councillor Tom Collings wrote, "The Chesham and Wycombe Co-operative Society, as one of the largest ratepayers in the town, claims the right of DIRECT REPRESENTATION ON THE COUNCIL.

As a result, the Central Co-operative Parliamentary Representation Committee was formed in 1917, with the objective of putting co-operators into the House of Commons.

Waterson retired from Parliament in 1922, but four new Co-operative MPs were elected that same year, including A. V. Alexander, all of whom took the Labour whip.

With Labour's fluctuating fortunes and the slow post-war decline of the co-operative movement, the party saw its influence and standing fall.

In 1997, all 23 candidates won seats in Parliament and, after Labour assumed power, the party gained its first members of the Cabinet since A. V. Alexander: Alun Michael 1998–99 (later First Minister for Wales) and Ed Balls 2007–2010.

In 2001, only one candidate was defeated: Faye Tinnion, who had stood against the Leader of the Conservative Party, William Hague.

[21] An annual conference takes place each autumn to debate policy, discuss the party's work and vote on motions, although its resolutions are only advisory on the NEC.

[20] The members of each co-operative society vote to approve affiliation to the party at their annual general meeting.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have a single national Society Co-operative Party.

[29] Although only the Labour Party emblem is used on the ballot paper, candidates and representatives can use a joint logo on their printed materials and websites.

For the purposes of the registration as a political party with the Electoral Commission, the General Secretary is registered as both the leader and the nominating officer.