Bankrolling Politics: Labour’s Rise as the New Party of Big Money

He Who Pays the Piper Calls the Tune: The Shifting Tides of British Political Funding

It’s a common adage that “he who pays the piper calls the tune.” But when it’s our political representatives being bankrolled, who truly wields power in our purported democracy?

Recent data from the Electoral Commission paints a stark picture of the changing landscape of political donations in Britain. Labour, once trailing in fundraising, has emerged as the new darling of big-money donors.

In the first week of the 2019 general election, the Conservatives raised a staggering £5.7 million in donations. Over the four weeks leading to Boris Johnson’s landslide victory, they amassed more than £18 million. Fast forward to the present, and the contrast is jarring. In a recent week, the Tories scraped together a mere £293,000 from donors – a precipitous decline that suggests their wealthy backers may be jumping ship in light of unfavourable polls.

The New Political Elite: Labour’s Courtship of Big Business

The stark reality of British politics in 2024 paints a compelling and disturbing picture. Labour, once the party of the working class, has metamorphosed into Britain’s new big money party. Recent data from the Electoral Commission reveals a seismic shift in political financing that should give pause to every citizen concerned with the integrity of our democratic process.

In a stunning reversal of fortunes, Keir Starmer’s Labour raised a staggering £4.3 million in a single week – dwarfing the Conservative Party’s meagre £293,000 in the same period. This represents a 15-fold advantage for Labour, a far cry from the 2019 general election when the Tories dominated the donation landscape.

Let’s delve into the numbers:

• In the first week of the 2019 general election campaign, the Conservatives raised £5.7 million.
• Over the four weeks leading to Boris Johnson’s victory, the Tories amassed more than £18 million.
• In contrast, Labour raised barely £5 million in the entire month before the 2019 election.

Fast forward to today, and the tables have turned dramatically. Labour’s coffers are overflowing, primarily due to three incredibly wealthy donors:

• Lord David Sainsbury donated £2.5 million, bringing his total contributions to Labour under Starmer’s leadership to over £7.5 million.
• Autoglass boss Gary Lubner contributed £900,000.
• Hedge fund manager Martin Taylor donated £700,000.

This influx of big money into Labour coincides with a concerted effort by the party to court business and City leaders. In 2023, Labour received a record £13 million in individual donations, with prominent former Tory backers switching allegiances. Billionaire John Caudwell, who donated £500,000 to the Conservatives in 2019, has now thrown his support behind Labour. John Armitage, a previous £3.1 million Tory donor, has given over £100,000 to Starmer’s Labour.

A Democracy for Sale? The Impact of Big Donors on UK Politics

The assistance extends beyond mere cash. Major corporations and consultancies, including HSBC and Peter Mandelson’s Global Counsel, have seconded staff to shadow cabinet ministers, further blurring the lines between big business and Labour policy-making.

On the fringes, Reform UK raised £742,000 in the same week, including £50,000 from former “Home and Away” star Holly Valance. However, the party remains heavily reliant on former leader Richard Tice’s personal wealth, with his company, Britain Means Business, donating £500,000.

Meanwhile, the Conservative Party’s fundraising machine appears to be sputtering. Beyond a handful of stalwart donors like Bestway Wholesale Ltd (£50,000), and longstanding supporters David Ord, Michael Hintze, and Ken Costa (£25,000 each), the Tory coffers are running dry. Hintze, having donated over £4.5 million to the party historically, exemplifies the old guard of Conservative financing.

This dramatic shift in political financing begs a crucial question: What price will Labour pay for this newfound wealth? The party has undeniably shifted rightward to attract such donors, and their manifesto reflects a clear alignment with big business interests. As the saying goes, there’s no such thing as a free lunch in politics.

The High Cost of Donations: Labour’s Rightward Shift Explained

Labour’s dramatic rightward shift and its manifesto of ‘No Change’ clearly reflects the interests of its new patrons, raising questions about the party’s commitment to its traditional working-class base.

As the pendulum of political funding swings decisively towards Labour, we must ask ourselves: what price will be exacted for this newfound financial support? In the grand bazaar of British politics, it seems increasingly clear that policies and principles are up for auction to the highest bidder. The question remains – in this new landscape, who truly holds the reins of power in our democracy?

This 4th of July should be our Independence Day, let us declare our freedom not just from foreign powers, but from the insidious influence of big money in our politics. Our democracy is not for sale, and it’s high time we reminded our politicians of that fundamental truth.