A senior figure in the co-operative movement has urged social enterprises and co-operatives to remain politically engaged if they want to change society for the better.
Speaking at the 'Good business and how to do it' session at the Social Enterprise Exchange in Glasgow, Paul Monaghan, head of sustainable development for Co-operative Financial Services at The Co-operative Group, told delegates that when the co-operative movement began in 1844, it was more than just a business – it was a means of challenging an unfair society. He said that the co-operative pioneers were "deeply politically engaged" and urged social entrepreneurs and co-operators to put aside definition debates and get on with trying to change the rules of business through political means as well as commercial activity.
Monaghan added that "good business means doing the right thing, even when there isn't a business case".
Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said that social enterprises embodied many of the practices which define 'good business'. He also said that spreading the insights and practices of social enterprise to the rest of the economy is crucial to the UK's future success.
He told delegates at the 'Good business' session: "A thriving and growing social enterprise sector is to be welcomed, encouraged and supported. As a sector, social enterprise is a source of much innovation, in public services and beyond."
He added: "But the prize is to make it easier for all businesses to build on the learning from your sector – to increase the confluence between advancing social priorities and doing well."
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