New Zealand Co-operative Party
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Co-operative Party was a short-lived political party
in New Zealand
. It was founded in 1942 by anti-socialist
political organiser Albert Davy
after he left the People's Movement
. Davy had previously managed a number of successful political campaigns for other parties, but had frequently fallen out with his colleagues over ideological differences. The Co-operative Party was strongly rooted in Davy's strong hostility to the left-wing Labour Party
, which was in government at the time. Davy soon abandoned his new party, however, and returned to the remnants of the People's Movement. The Co-operative Party never won seats in Parliament.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It was founded in 1942 by anti-socialist
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
political organiser Albert Davy
Albert Davy
Albert Ernest Davy was a New Zealand political organiser and campaign manager; and at the height of his career, was regarded by some as the best in the country...
after he left the People's Movement
People's Movement (New Zealand)
The People's Movement was a political party in New Zealand. It was active in the late 1930s and early 1940s, and was individualist in outlook. It campaigned for a reduction in the size of government, a reform of the civil service, a limit on the powers of political parties, and an end to the...
. Davy had previously managed a number of successful political campaigns for other parties, but had frequently fallen out with his colleagues over ideological differences. The Co-operative Party was strongly rooted in Davy's strong hostility to the left-wing Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
, which was in government at the time. Davy soon abandoned his new party, however, and returned to the remnants of the People's Movement. The Co-operative Party never won seats in Parliament.