Tories raise millions more than Labour with most recent donations

The Conservatives raised almost £3.5million more than Labour in the space of just a few months, according to new Electoral Commission figures.

Labour raised £3.7 million in the second quarter of this year, while the Tories managed to get £7.2 million – almost double Labour’s total. And analysis shows £2million of donations in the last quarter came from donors who attended private dinners with Cameron and other senior Ministers. This makes the total the Tories have raised from ‘dinner donors’  in 2014 to £5 million.

But what’s also worrying about these latest figures is that Ukip are quickly gaming financial ground in the run up to next May – they raised £1.4million in the period before the European elections. That figure is higher than the Lib Dems, who raised £1.2million, and the SNP, who raised £1.1million.

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, has responded to these figures:

“Families are struggling with their finances but Tory Party coffers are booming.

“The Prime Minister wants to buy the next election with a small pool of big-money donors bankrolling his campaign. In contrast Labour has thousands of activists across the country working in communities.
 
“When millions are flowing in from hedge funds and exclusive groups of donors, is it any wonder David Cameron stands up for the privileged few?

“Millionaires and hedge funds have been given a tax cut while hardworking families suffer from a cost-of-living crisis. David Cameron is leading an out-of-touch, hollowed-out party which has no answers to the major challenges our country faces.”