Sunday 6 th July 2025, 2pm – 3.45 pm, online
Register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/manage/events/1394104597379/details 
Chair/Introduction: Rebecca Harvey, Executive Editor, Co-op Press
Theme: Public, Private or Co-op? Addressing the Invisibility of the Co-operative movement within a UK mixed economy
Speaker: Professor Colin Talbot
University of Manchester (Professor of Government – Emeritus)
Audience participation
Session Two
Chair: Rebecca Harvey
Theme: What to be done?
Short presentations/reflections,
- Cheryl Barrott, Chair, Co-ops UK;
- Glenn Bowen, Enterprise Programme Director, Cwmpas;
- Emma Hoddinott, Assistant General Secretary, The Co-operative Party (tbc)
- Rachel Garrick, Monmouthshire County Council
Round table discussion & audience participation
The Labour government came to power in 2024 with the stated aim of “doubling the co-operative economy,” which raises the questions; why? And what exactly does that mean?
One possible answer comes in “Rebalancing Society” which is usually viewed as the balance between Public and Private sectors, and which often excludes a third – usually ‘invisible’ – sector, which includes co-operatives, mutuals, associations, not-for-profits, charities, civic and community organisations, etc.
Drawing upon the work of Prof. Henry Mintzberg, Prof. Colin Talbot will speak about the importance of the ‘Plural sector’, but also about why a balance between the three legs of the social ‘stool’ is critical for the future. And that includes a vital role for co-operative forms of organisation – both in formal Co-ops and in ways of working in Public and private organisations.
Finally, what conclusions, if any, might be drawn in terms of future Manifesto commitments, whilst being supportive of a future legislative proposals arising from the Law Commission Review of Co-operative & Mutual legislation.
Ends
