Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has highlighted the enduring power of co-operative values in a Westminster Hall debate celebrating the legacy of the Rochdale Pioneers and the future of the co-operative economy.
Speaking during the debate, Mr Waugh said:
“Rochdale’s proud history as the birthplace of the co-operative movement in 1844 is not a relic of the past — it’s a living, breathing model for social justice today. That legacy is alive in organisations like Metro Moneywise Credit Union, which celebrated its 35th anniversary last week at Rochdale Town Hall. Co-ops work — they are more democratic, more resilient, and more rooted in their communities. The Labour Party’s commitment to double the size of the co-operative economy shows we’re serious about building an economy that works for working people.”
The debate, secured by Shadow Environment Secretary and fellow Co-operative MP Jim McMahon, featured multiple tributes to Rochdale’s pivotal role in the origins of the global movement. MPs across the House acknowledged how the values first set out by the Rochdale Pioneers — open membership, democratic control, shared ownership, and education — remain vital to tackling today’s economic challenges.
Mr Waugh added:
“The pioneers of 1844 — including four weavers from Spotland Bridge, where I grew up — built something revolutionary. They understood that if you build something together, you should share in the value you create. That’s a lesson for our time. Co-operatives aren’t just about nostalgia — they’re a blueprint for a fairer, more democratic economy.”
Fellow MPs, including Andrew Pakes, Mark Ferguson, and Tom Hayes, all cited Rochdale’s continuing leadership in the co-operative movement, while Conservative MP Mark Garnier praised the town’s enduring international influence, with co-operatives now operating in more than 100 countries.
Paul Waugh said the debate showed how Rochdale’s example can help renew trust in local economies and strengthen communities nationwide:
“From local energy co-ops to community housing, credit unions and worker-owned businesses, Rochdale’s pioneering spirit is helping people take back control — not through empty slogans, but through collective ownership and shared responsibility. That’s what real levelling up looks like.”