"Join the Revolution!" calls the Co-op - but can we?

THE CO-OPERATIVE LAUNCHES what it claims is its "most radical corporate ethical plan" ever and is encouraging customers to join its Revolution. With three Co-op outlets in Hedon, two food stores and a travel agency, then this Revolution could be right on our doorstep - but will local people benefit or be able to take part?

The Co-op has announced its new radical Ethical Operating Plan (2011-2013) which aims to build a more stable economy while boosting its membership scheme from 6 million to 20 million by 2020. Amongst the pledges from the plan, are the overarching global aims:

• the deployment of £1billion of green energy finance by 2013
• the most radical Fairtrade conversion programme ever undertaken
• to reduce the Co-op's own operational carbon emissions by 35% by 2017
• to introduce the world’s first ethically screened general insurance products
• to support an Apprenticeship Academy, a Green Schools programme and the creation of 200 Co-operative Schools by 2013

In communities, Co-op stores and branches already support local initiatives including charity fundraising, nominating projects for funding from The Co-operative Membership Community Fund, employee volunteering, store donations, and supporting membership events. The Revolution further pledges to ensure that 10% of the profits available for distribution are made available for community investment by 2013, with £5m deployed per annum to tackle UK poverty around its stores and branches. 10,000 community initiatives will be supported every year.

As well as its influence as a business the Co-op points to its membership as a force for influencing change in the world in fighting for trade justice, labour standards, human rights, and animal welfare. The Revolution pledges to engage with half a million members every year to campaign for a more sustaianable world "From lobbies and marches on Parliament to petitions and films, our campaigning supports our members and partners to become citizens of a truly bigger and better society" states the Co-op.

"I'll join your Revolution - but just can't afford your eggs!"

So Hedon and its surrounding villages might be considered to be on the front line of the Co-operative Revolution - but what will that mean locally? To be ethically engaged requires people to understand about the big issues in society and develop a passion for social justice. All this is noble and achievable - hundreds understand and share these ideals in the HU12 area - it is a ripe recruiting ground for Co-op Membership. But in order to change our purchasing power to buy more ethical goods also requires people to have the money in their pockets to make the choice.

One issue sums up the dilemma facing people in this time of austerity - Eggs! Eggs from battery hens cost 0.39p for half a dozen from the local grocers. This is not just a few pence cheaper, but considerably cheaper. "I'll join your Revolution - but just can't afford your eggs!"