The Co-operative Group board will recommend that members vote to continue a partnership with the Co-operative Party.

Following a board meeting on 20 April, member nominated director Hazel Blears said on her blog that “the board has recommended that Co-op Group members support Motion 12” to approve political subscriptions.

“To me … this is a very welcome decision and one which I have consistently promoted,” wrote Ms Blears. “If supported by members at the AGM, it will reaffirm and renew our historic, democratic partnership with the Co-operative Party.

“I have been a Co-op Party member for more than 25 years and I know how important the Party’s work is.

“The Co-op is more than just a business and our partnership with the Party is one of the ways we show it. Because we believe in changing society, it is right that we support engagement in the democratic and political process, at the same time as we set an example as Britain’s leading ethical business.”

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Ms Blears believes the Party’s policy work and engagement with national and local government “has been vital in creating a better environment for all co-operatives and growing the co-operative movement”.

Welcoming the news, Co-operative Party general secretary Claire McCarthy said: “For a century the Co-operative Party has been the political voice of the co-operative movement in the rooms where decisions are made – in Westminster, Cardiff Bay, Holyrood and town halls across the country. The Party and the movement work together to make the case for a more co-operative Britain where power and wealth are more equally shared.

“We are proud that both the Co-operative Group Board and its National Members’ Council are asking members to vote to keep this important partnership going by supporting Motion 12 when they receive their voting packs this week.”

Online and postal balloting for eligible members will begin on Thursday 21 April for members who are not attending the AGM. The results of the vote will be announced at the Group’s AGM in Manchester on Saturday 21 May.