Wealthy donors aiming to woo Sir Keir Starmer’s party ahead of its likely win in next month’s election have helped Labour overtake the Tory party in receiving political donations, latest figures show.
Labour has landed £15.5m in funding so far this year from individuals, companies, unions and others, exceeding the £9.9m handed to the Conservatives.
While the Tories have historically found more favour with companies and individuals, Labour typically receives substantially higher donations from trade unions.
They contributed 26 per cent of the Labour Party’s fundraising since the last election in 2019, at £25.3m. Overall, Tory donations are still well ahead at £111.9m, topping Labour’s figure of £98.7m.
However, The Independent has found that individual donors have been dwindling in their support of the Tories, and flocking to Labour – with some even switching sides.
While major donors such as controversial businessman Frank Hester have stayed loyal to the Tories (to the tune of £15m), others like Crystal Palace investor Jeremy Hosking have turned to back competing parties, including Reclaim and Reform.
Meanwhile, the two Lord Sainsburys – cousins and heirs to the fortune – have planted their cash in opposite camps.
Figures out last week showed Labour received £4.4m between 6-12 June while the Conservatives received just £292,500. So, who are the big-name donors staking their cash on the major parties?
Frank Hester
The founder, owner and CEO of software company The Phoenix Partnership (TPP) donated £10m to the Tories last year, according to Electoral Commission records. He individually donated £5m to Mr Sunak’s party in May and gave another £5m via his IT company in November.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 24, 2024 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 24, 2024 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Drunk, dissatisfied but full of depth: the man who tore down the highway to hell
Before he died aged 33 in 1980, Bon Scott left an indelible mark on AC/DC. On the 50th anniversary of his induction into the hard rock band, Mark Beaumont remembers a musician who became an icon of rock’n’roll anti-conformity
A fitness routine with real benefits eight hours later
Wellness expert Nicola Elliott looks at one thing we can all do that will make our nine-to-five feel happier and healthier
Australia beat the rain and England to win tight series
Ben Duckett’s century was overshadowed by England’s batting collapse in Bristol before the forecast rain arrived too late to spare them from an ODI series defeat to Australia.
Tension between City and Arsenal reaches a new level
Mikel Arteta tried to cool the rivalry after Pep Guardiola’s comments but more flashpoints in the title race look likely
Spurs outclass sorry United in Postecoglou's finest hour
Ten Hag’s tenure in tatters after another heavy home defeat
Russia says it shot down 125 Ukrainian drones in a night
More than 100 Ukrainian drones have been shot down over Russia, sparking a wildfire and setting an apartment block alight in one of the largest barrages seen over the country’s skies since the start of the war in February 2022.
Vance-Walz debate may be a turning point in US election
Poll shows 75 per cent of Americans plan to watch the event
Far-right Freedom Party on course for victory in Austria
The far-right Freedom Party had a lead over the governing conservatives in Austria’s national election yesterday and was well-placed for its first win in a parliamentary vote, a projection showed. But its chances of governing were unclear.
Israel 'wiped out' Hezbollah leadership in bombing raids
It is claimed that 20 members of militant group died in strike that killed leader Hassan Nasrallah, as Lebanon says a fifth of its population have been forced to flee
A look inside the safe house The Independent will build
With help from generous readers, our campaign will fund a refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence
