Labour raised more than it spent in 2008 but CWU is considering its support

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

UPDATE: The CWU is reconsidering its support for the Labour party. In a newly published motion to next month’s TUC says:

“Congress recognises the lack of adequate representation at political level for the members of affiliated unions. Congress notes that New Labour, as currently constituted, is now failing to attract the support of our members and that its vote at the 2009 European Election reached an historic low. The present Government’s policy of continuing privatisation, cuts in Government spending and failure to remove the anti-trade union laws is unlikely to change this in the near future. Congress therefore calls on the General Council to convene, at the earliest opportunity, a conference of all affiliated unions to consider how to achieve effective political representation for our members.”

Hat tip Rene Levenchy.

The Labour party received more in income than any other party in 2008, and spent less money overall than the Conservatives. The figures will be a relief to the party, which was nearly £24 million in debt this time last year, and which has faced further reports this week of donation withdrawals.

Labour raised £34million, and spent just £26million, leaving the party with a surplus of nearly £8million for 2008. The Conservatives raised £32million and was left with a surplus of just £434,000.

View the figures for the Labour Party here, and the Conservatives here.

The full figures are below, courtesy of the Electoral Commission and via PoliticsHome: