Tower of strength – mutualism in the 21st century

The end of the Tower Colliery in Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, has been sad. However, the example of the successful (and profitable) co-operative running what was deemed uneconomic is heartening.

Looking forward, it was pleasing to read this week that co-operative schools might rival city academies as the model for raising standards in education according to the schools secretary of state Ed Balls. He welcomed plans for Reddish Vale Technology College in Stockport to become England’s first co-operative school and predicted “significant future potential for a co-operative model”. It is good that mutual options for public services are still on the reform agenda.