The Conservative Co-operative Movement was set up by Jesse Norman in response to a call by David Cameron for a new centre-right organisation to promote co-ops and the co-operative ethos.

In that role, the CCM has had a major impact both in opening up debate about the value of co-ops and employee ownership within the public services, and in shaping Conservative party policy on the use of co-ops. Party policy now includes enabling legislation for public sector workers to form co-ops to deliver public services; for communities to take over municipal and council facilities, and run them as co-ops; and for greater use of co-ops in housing.

In late 2009 the CCM recruited as its new Chair Marjorie Ellis Thompson, a highly experienced campaigner and grass-roots organiser who ran the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in its heyday. Now constituted as a co-op itself, the CCM has started to build up its own membership according to co-operative principles, adding a practical dimension to its existing advocacy and promotional work.

CCM membership is open to people of every political persuasion, and of none. To join the CCM, please click below: