Thursday June 12 saw a group of eight Co-operative Party members visit Linda Gilroy at the Houses of Parliament.

Six members were from Plymouth and a further two came from the Torbay branch. The group took lunch on the famous Terrace, before watching debates from the gallery in both the Lords and the Commons.

Jane Jones, Secretary of the Plymouth Co-Op branch, said “It was a thoroughly enjoyable day. We really appreciated not just the tour of the Palace itself, but also the chance to see “Behind the Scenes”.

Linda Gilroy said “I was particularly pleased this group had a chance to visit Parliament. These volunteers are the people who fill envelopes, make telephone calls, knock on doors, raise money, help develop policy - they give up their time to get involved in the political system and without them our democracy wouldn’t work.”

The Co-Operative Party reflects the principles of the co-operative movement. Although a political party in its own right, it stands candidates jointly with the Labour Party. There are currently twenty nine Labour & Co-operative MPs, including Linda Gilroy.

13 June 2008