The call has been made for the government to focus on creating communities that instill a sense of pride among residents, as recent findings reveal that less than half of individuals trust their neighbors. Concerns were raised by Joe Fortune, the General Secretary of the Co-operative Party, after government statistics showed that only 41% of people believed that many individuals in their neighborhood could be relied upon, and just 69% reported engaging in conversations with neighbors on a monthly basis.
According to the party, communities have been negatively impacted by the closure of various communal spaces such as local pubs, swimming pools, libraries, and youth clubs over the past decade. Official data also indicated a decline in the sense of belonging within neighborhoods, with only 61% feeling a strong connection to their immediate surroundings, down from 63%. Additionally, the percentage of people agreeing that residents come together to enhance the neighborhood decreased from 62% to 56%.
Recent research highlighted the closure of 500 public swimming pools in England since 2010, with nearly half shutting down in the last five years. Similarly, the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) disclosed that 35 pubs listed in last year’s Good Beer Guide have ceased operations.
Joe Fortune, in anticipation of the Co-operative Party’s upcoming annual conference, expressed concern over the diminishing community cohesion, stressing the importance of fostering stronger connections and trust among residents. He emphasized the need for government intervention to boost community pride and unity, suggesting that reversing the decline in community engagement should be a governmental priority. Additionally, he called on the Labour Party to prioritize building more resilient and interconnected communities.