Read the speech in full.

We welcome the publication of this document, in particular its emphasis in part 27, page 29 under Social Action which says:

Conservative Co-operative Movement founder, Jesse Norman MP, welcomes the appointment of Nat Wei as a Government advisor on Big Society:

Jesse said:

"I am delighted that the Prime Minister has placed the Compassionate Conservative idea of a Big Society at the heart of the new government.

"This is an idea of great potential depth and power, which can guide reform across the whole spectrum of policy. The Conservative Co-operative Movement welcomes the chance it offers to bring new models of mutual and trust ownership, and better governance, both into the public services and into our wider society."

Letter to the Telegraph

SIR – We are concerned about criticisms of civil society from politicians and commentators in debating “the Big Society”. Some have said “there is no such thing”, that “there is little appetite” for greater citizen involvement in Britain and that “it cannot be done”. They risk undermining the very notion that civil society should play a role in public life.

Conservative Co-operative Movement member, Simon Randall CBE contributes to Policy Platform published by Localis.

Article in The Times by Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership.

Simon Randall, a member of the Conservative Co-operative Movement, spoke at a Foundation East seminar in Thetford today (24 February 2010) on the role of co-operatives and community land trusts in regenerating our rural communities.

"Co-operative forms of housing offer us a range of possibilities for tackling the housing crisis. The recent “Bringing Democracy Home” report, published by the Commission for Co-operative and Mutual Housing, shows how we can work with and trust communities, incentivizing them and empowering them as part of a wider housing policy that places the needs of local people above those of bureaucrats and planners.

Over lunch in a cafe in an assisted living tower block, I learned about Sustainable Enterprise Strategies (SES) from its director Kevin Marquis. The cafe is run by the people associated with Sunderland Home Care and staffed by people with learning disabilities.

In early February I had the great opportunity and privilege to visit Margaret Elliot of Sunderland Home Care (Care & Share Associates) who has contributed a piece elsewhere on this site.