Jim Robbins, leader of the Labour/Co-op Group on Swindon Council, has been appointed as the Co-operative Party’s new general secretary.
Robbins, a former council leader, has been a councillor since 2012 and in 2024 was made chair of the Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network.
His predecessor, Joe Fortune, was appointed general secretary of the Labour Party in September. According to Labour List, interim general secretary Caitlin Prowle did not apply for the position.
Robbins, who starts the role in early December, said: “I am hugely excited to be taking up this role at such a crucial moment for co-operative politics.
“The first Labour and Co-operative prime minister in history and an agenda of devolution and community empowerment are significant opportunities for our movement, and I look forward to working with the staff team and our thousands of elected representatives at all levels to achieve our ambitions for a more co-operative country.”
In a statement for the Party, chair Jim McMahon said he was “delighted” to welcome Robbins to the role.
“Jim brings a wealth of experience as a Labour and Co-operative councillor, council leader and champion of co-operative local government. He knows what it means to put co-operative principles into practice, giving communities a greater say and a genuine stake in their future.”
He added: “As we approach the centenary of our electoral agreement with the Labour Party, we have an incredible opportunity to build on 100 years of co-operation and make democractic ownership an even greater part of Britain’s future through Andy Burnham’s government.”
Paying tribute to Fortune, McMahon said: “He has made an enormous contribution to our movement and helped us put in a strong position for the years ahead.”
And he thanked Prowle for “steering the Party brilliantly over the last few months”.
