Conversation so far:
What is the pioneering co-op?
He took a leading part in developing agricultural co-operation.
what did he do?
which he had learned from isolated American farmers, taking account of Scandinavian models of co-operation and the invention of the steam-powered cream separator.
What were the scandinavian models?
CANNOTANSWER.
how did he use all that information?
This enabled farmers to deal directly with companies established by themselves, which guaranteed fair prices without middlemen absorbing the profits.
Did this increase profits?
which guaranteed fair prices without middlemen absorbing the profits.
Are there any other interesting aspects about this article?
Plunkett resolved to hold himself aloof from party politics.

Question: why did he decide to stay away from that?
Self-contained rewrite: why did Horace Plunkett resolve himself to stay away from party politics?