Rochdale’s newly elected Labour and Co-operative MP, Paul Waugh, brought a moment of humour to Buckingham Palace this week when he jokingly asked King Charles III if he shops at the Co-op.

The King laughed at the remark before reflecting on the Co-operative movement’s enduring success, saying he was impressed that the Co-op is “still going” strong 180 years after it was founded in the town.

During the reception for new MPs, Mr. Waugh took the opportunity to highlight Rochdale’s proud history as the birthplace of the co-operative movement. Speaking after the event, he said:

“The King was impeccably polite, as you’d imagine. He has an incredible encyclopedic knowledge of every area of the UK. I mentioned that Rochdale is the home of the Co-op, and when I asked if he shopped there, he laughed heartily.”

The reception, held at Buckingham Palace’s Grand Ballroom, welcomed newly elected MPs and members of the House of Lords. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, and former prime minister Theresa May were among the attendees.

Reflecting on the exchange, Mr. Waugh said:

“I figured that the Co-op and the King have a lot in common. Both are part of a very old institution yet both are ahead of their time in helping charities, supporting local communities, and protecting the environment.”

What Does It Mean to Be a Labour and Co-operative MP?

As a Labour and Co-operative MP, Mr. Waugh represents both the Labour Party and the Co-operative Party, an electoral alliance that has existed since 1927. This partnership means he is committed to Labour’s values of social justice while also championing co-operative principles such as community ownership, ethical business, and democratic control.

Labour and Co-operative MPs work within the Labour Party but also collaborate through the Co-operative Parliamentary Group, advocating policies that promote co-operatives, mutuals, and fairer ways of doing business. The Co-operative movement itself began in Rochdale in 1844, making the town a fitting home for an MP carrying this dual affiliation.

Mr. Waugh’s exchange with the King was a light-hearted moment, but it also underscored Rochdale’s enduring contribution to the co-operative movement—one that continues to influence politics and business across the UK.