The electoral fundraising challenge facing Labour was underlined today by the publication of new figures showing the Tories brought in four times as much cash in donations in a single week in May.
Theresa May’s party raised £1.64m between May 10 and 16, the Electoral Commission said.
Labour received donations of just over £380,000 as the main political parties registered nearly £2.5m in support cumulatively.
The totals – produced as the second of six weekly updates – highlight the Tories’ success in winning donations from the City and wealthy entrepreneurs in the weeks since May called a snap election.
Labour went into the short campaign in a strong position, however, after two successive leadership campaigns which led to a record high for its membership as well as additional income from the fees paid by people joining as registered supporters.
Total donations between 10 and 16 May 2017
Conservatives: £1,639,108
Labour: £382,925
Lib Dems: £160,000
UKIP: £35,000
Women’s Equality Party: £18,936
Greens: £18,500
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