Crystal Methodist- the Paul Flowers scandal

[Wannabestepfordwife]

Unfortunately I can't link but I'm little bit ignorant to some parts of the story and was wondering if anyone would mind explaining.

I was really shocked by the close ties between labour and the co-op, I'm used to people calling the Tories the bankers party but to my knowledge they don't have a relationship with any banks like this. Is this a normal party/ bank relationship.

I was also surprised that someone with no real banking experience could be put at the head of a bank. Is this normal banking procedure?

Also with ed balls and the Britannia takeover is it normal for a politician to have that much influence.

Hope someone can help

as both a Methodist and a co-op bank customer, I am gutted and disgusted by this whole sorry mess.

It's the Co-Op group - not just the bank. The Co-operative movement has always had a political edge to it and the bank / the rest of the group has an ethical stance which is really good.

I feel let down by the Chairman and sorry for the group as I have a lot of respect for them.

I read that the co-op group were wanting to set up their own political party at one point but as their policies were similar to labour they decided against it.

I've always liked and respected the co-op but had dp and I taken out a mortgage with them then I would be annoyed that money from our interest could have helped fund a political party I don't support I just find it unethical.

phantom apologies if the thread title has caused any offence. I'd be feeling really let down by the situation

Think what your money does support. The bank does not give money but i think it offers good overdraft. Mind you, i think other parties were also overdrawn with other banks.

Having had dealings with other facets of the Co-op and found them anything but ethical as well as incredibly disorganised and incompetent, I've always been very skeptical about their claims to be a different kind of bank. The Flowers story just takes my bad opinion to a new level.

Can someone explain what the relationship between the Co-operative movement, the shops and the bank is with New Labour if anything?

I don't like the idea of unknowingly aiding New Labour in some way.

Flowers Coop Labour Party timeline

Wannabestepfordwife: There is indeed a Co-operative party. It was formed nearly 100 years ago.

Handy explanation of how the co-operative movement works here:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25001444

I am genuinely at that time line

Thank you for the timelines hackmum and cogito.

I have to stay I'm astounded that I got turned down for the co-op insurance as my credit rating isn't immaculate yet the head of their bank could have fraudulentally taken money from a charity.

I'm finding I'm losing even more respect for Milliband over this. The three big labour scandals over the year the mcbride scandal, the unite scandal and now the co-op scandal and he knew nothing about any of them. He's beginning to look grossly incompetent as he has no knowledge of what's going on around him at best.