Rochdale councillor re-elected to national executive of Co-Operative Party

Councillor Faisal Rana

Rochdale councillor Faisal Rana has been re-elected to serve a second term on the ruling body of the Co-operative Party.

Councillor Rana was elected as the first-ever BAME observer to the National Executive Committee of the Co-operative Party last year and has been re-elected to that position for a further 12 months.

The Co-operative Party - a sister party to the Labour Party - stands candidates in local and national elections as joint Labour and Co-operative candidates. There are several Labour and Co-op councillors elected to Rochdale Council.

Councillor Rana, who represents Spotland and Falinge ward on Rochdale Council, said: "Coming from the birthplace of the Co-operative movement, I am honoured and privileged to have been elected to the party's top body.

"Co-operators from across the country serve on the national executive, along with Labour and Co-op MPs and Peers. Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West and Royton, is the national chair. We are the party of the co-operative movement, committed to building a society where power and wealth are shared.

"The party promotes co-operative principles - first set out by the original Rochdale Pioneers - and campaigns on a wide range of social and economic issues. We believe in a economy based on values and not just profits.

"At the moment, I am involved in a number of Co-op initiatives, including a campaign for food justice, Thousands of Rochdale families are struggling to feed themselves. We need to bring the food poverty to attention of the government and deliver food justice to those in need."

The Co-operative Party has recently launched its #UnlockTheHighStreet campaign to support the regeneration of our high streets.

Councillor Rana said: "It's time for communities to have both the power and funding they need and to reimagine the high street and unlock their potential to create vibrant places to live, shop and play.

"I represent the views of the growing BAME membership of the party at the national level to ensure our voice is heard and we are fully representative of all sections of society."