Articles in Mutuals

Co-operatives across Europe face a major threat from a European Commission investigation. The EC is investigating claims of unfair state aid handed to co-operatives across the continent. Co-operatives Europe has organised the Hands Off Our Co-ops campaign making a plea for co-operators to protect the business model by signing a petition.

SOME people say that one of the casualties of creating a national society will be member involvement. I have a one word response to that charge. That word is: "Nonsense." When United Norwest and Yorkshire societies merged in 2002, some people said exactly the same thing – that member participation would suffer in the new enlarged society. Let me explain how United Co-operatives has "suffered" in practice: • We've "suffered" from attendances at our ...

AT a dinner party about a century ago George Bernard Shaw reputedly sat next to a rather large and pompous lady, past her prime. "If I offered you a million pounds, would you sleep with me?," Shaw asked. "Why yes, sir," she answered smiling. "And if I offered you one pound, would you do so?," Shaw continued. "Sir! What do you think I am," the lady responded angrily. "We already know that," said the Irish playwright. "All we have to do now ...