The Co‐op's Golden Opportunity? Exploring the Prospects of Labour's Sister Party under Keir Starmer's Labour Government

Abstract The Co‐operative Party is back in power. Forty‐three of its members of Parliament sit on the government benches in the House of Commons, of which four sit in the Cabinet, including the business and trade secretary. Six ‘metro mayors’ also wear the co‐operative badge, along with over 1,600 local councillors and representatives in the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd. With Labour back in government, this under‐explored party may be on the cusp of its peak relevance in British politics. In partnership with Labour since 1927, it pursues a co‐operative agenda in politics and policy making. This article explores the role it may play in a Keir Starmer‐led Labour majority government. It places these observations in the context of Labour and the Co‐operative Party's previous period in power between 1997–2010, considering some opportunities and potential barriers to the party's ability to influence government policy in the UK's post‐Brexit, multilevel polity.