Martin Shaw: A mutual manifesto

Recently, the Association of Financial Mutuals (AFM) wrote to all the main political parties to suggest policy options they might incorporate into their manifestos ahead of next month's general election. Our members include friendly societies, mutual insurers and indemnifiers, and not-for-profit healthcare providers. These organisations were first established before the welfare state to enable people of limited means to take responsibility for their own financial situation and to provide for an uncertain future. Since the financial crisis, mutuals have doubled market share and are once a...