NEWLY elected Labour MP Simon Lightwood has urged voters to join the Co-operative Party in one of his first actions after retaking the constituency of Wakefield back into Labour control.

Mr Lightwood stood as Labour Co-operative candidate in the by-election.

He said that co-operatives “aren’t just creating jobs and proudly paying their fair share of tax towards our public services,” but also “pioneering a more equitable and ethical economy in a society where power and wealth are shared.”

Mr Lightwood said: “We need big ideas to build a fairer society, and the legacy and the campaigning of the co-operative movement will help show us the way.

“But to do that, we need co-operators campaigning in and representing communities up and down the country.

“My win in Wakefield shows business as usual simply isn’t working.

“Co-operators have always understood that by working together, we can achieve so much more than we can alone.”

Mr Lightwood was one of two prospective candidates imposed on the constituency by Labour’s national executive.