Joe Fortune's Leadership: The Co-operative Party's Impact in Today's Politics
- Joe Fortune is the general secretary of the Co-operative Party in the UK, known for his ability to communicate across different factions of the Labour Party.
- He has set an ambitious goal to double the size of the co-operative sector and promote community-owned renewable energy, aiming for 8GW of production.
- Fortune believes that the current political environment offers a significant opportunity for the Co-op Party to enhance its influence and support the co-operative movement.
In the UK, Joe Fortune serves as the general secretary of the Co-operative Party, where he has been influential in bridging various factions within the Labour Party. He emphasizes the importance of co-operatives and mutuals, noting the challenges they face in securing finance and investment compared to traditional companies. Fortune's ambition, established in 2017, aims to double the size of the co-operative sector, a goal that has been incorporated into the Labour manifesto for 2024. He advocates for community-owned renewable energy, envisioning a future where 8GW of energy is produced by local initiatives, potentially involving a million energy owners across the UK. Fortune acknowledges the regulatory hurdles that co-operatives encounter, which hinder their growth and ability to thrive in a competitive market. He believes that the current political climate presents a significant opportunity for the Co-op Party to expand its influence and support the co-operative movement.