Consultation on the link between Co-op and Labour

My other half and I are lucky enough to live a couple of minutes walk from a decent sized Co-op store. It's convenient, has some fairtrade, and we get a few vouchers through being members. The downside is that we seem to be supporting the Labour party when we have no wish to. The Co-op supports Labour candidates to the tune of £800,000 a year apparently. The Conservative MP Jesse Norman claimed that the Co-operative group has in the last ten years "given £6,187,788 to the Co-operative Party, and a further £355,857 to the Labour Party".

It's a bit of a shame because, like many Lib Dems, I quite like the idea of co-ops and mutuals. As is the case with unions, I wonder how many of the 7.2 million members really are supporters of the Labour party. In theory you could stand for election to one of the Co-op's area committees, but, as pointed out elsewhere, changing the Co-op is likely to be a long uphill struggle and who has the time?

Well, there is an easier way. The Co-op is currently running a survey, which should only take twenty minutes. About half way in they ask some pertinent questions about the political/financial link between the Co-op and Labour. They first ask if people were aware of the link, and then ask whether they agree with statements about the relationship. Interestingly, it looks like the options are stacked slightly against the link (although you can strongly disagree with options of course), the strongest anti-option being 'It is inappropriate for the Co-operative to give financial support to a political party'. The survey is open to members and non-members here.

* Tad Jones is a Liberal Democrat member in Nottingham