Journal of Co-operative Studies 66, 63-65

Journal of Co-operative Studies, No. 66

Abstract

The Co-operative and the Labour movements have long been on very good terms with each other. That it should be so is not surprising, for the principles of Co-operation foretold in many ways the principles of the Labour Party, years before the Party itself was born. Rochdale's pioneers struck a huge blow for working class self-determination against the Government which denied them the vote and the manufacturers who sought to exploit them; and their venture had immediate practical gains as well as massive philosophical ones. No history of the Labour movement, or indeed the country, is complete without it. This articles focuses on the Labour-Co-operative alliance.