Is there a cure for capitalism?
21st September 2008: Article for The Sunday Times by Jesse Norman
"Is there a cure for capitalism?" Two years ago this question would have seemed unthinkable. Now, after a week of extraordinary financial turmoil in which many proud banking names have ceased to exist, it is almost fashionable. Yet, when the dust has cleared, what should we conclude?
Co-ops are not leftwing
Jesse Norman, The Guardian
It's wrong to think food cooperatives don't do it for Tories. They chime perfectly with our values.
Conservative Co-op Movement unveils policy proposals for co-op approach to food
The Conservative Co-operative Movement, set up to explore creative ways in which communities can deliver public services, will today call on the Conservatives and other political parties to take new steps to boost volunteer participation in co-ops.
These include:
David Cameron launches new CCM book on food co-ops at NFU conference
The Conservative Co-operative Movement's new book on food co-ops has been launched this week by David Cameron.
The Conservative leader used his speech to the annual convention of the National Farmers' Union to launch Nuts and Bolts by Amy Coyle.
Commenting on the book, CCM Chair Jesse Norman said:
A living and working countryside
David Cameron and Jesse discuss the importance of food co-ops at the launch of Jesse's new book (video).
Co-operative vs co-operative
Jackie Storer, BBC News
JESSE NORMAN, CONSERVATIVE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT
How could co-operativism, a movement so closely associated with the Labour Party, be adopted so enthusiastically by the centre-right?
According to Jesse Norman - the affable ex-director at Barclays and the Tory parliamentary candidate tasked with chairing it - the two are not mutually exclusive.
"There's no reason why co-ops are themselves an intrinsically left wing idea - quite the opposite," he says.
Tories champion food co-ops to counter supermarkets' power
by Gaby Hinsliff The Observer
David Cameron will today back moves to break the supermarkets' stranglehold over farmers by setting up US-style neighbourhood food co-ops. Fashionable among liberal foodies, the co-op movement champions locally produced, seasonal food bought direct from suppliers, reducing the 'food miles' from farm to plate by comparison with supermarket air-freighted produce.
David Cameron: Launch of Breakthrough Manchester Report
Launching the Breakthrough Manchester Report, in Manchester today, Conservative Party Leader, David Cameron, said:
"It's always a pleasure to come to Manchester and feel the energy and creativity here. This is one of the great cities of the world.
You've got the fastest growing economy in the UK. Only London has more inward investment and more visitors. Manchester is the number one choice for young people going into further education. And it's obvious why. There's the most amazing sense of optimism here.
Buy into Cameron’s co-op
"Conservative Co-ops?” The woman goggled in amazement. “What, you mean lots of suits in blue rosettes selling beads? I thought the Tories were the party of capitalism!”
I had expected this reaction to David Cameron’s announcement on Thursday of the grandly titled Conservative Co-operative Movement, of which I am the chairman. In fact my in-box has been stuffed with e-mails from people of all political persuasions expressing interest in the project.
