The Sky News/Tortoise* compilation of MPs’ donations makes it easier to track declarations. For instance it is easy to see that a major Just Stop Oil donor has been bankrolling Keir Starmer to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds. Dale Vince gave Starmer’s leadership campaign £20,000 in 2020, and since the last election has donated a further £360,000 to the party. Including a five-figure bung to Angela Rayner…
Despite sounding rather convincing while condemning Just Stop Oil’s tactics, Sir Keir has been only too happy to accept the cash of a man who admits to giving the protest group “tens of thousands”, as well as “an additional lifeline in November when their funding ran out.”
“I understand why they do what they do. It’s what they have in their power to do.
“Whereas big business has different powers to pursue its agenda, and we have no real answer to that except sometimes to take to the streets.”
He also admits his money to the Labour Party is intended to advance his political agenda.
“[I donate] to help them win, to help them into government so they have the chance to deliver their agenda, which is my agenda, social justice and a green economy”.
Unfortunately for Labour they’re getting a lot of backwash via these ‘Westminster Accounts’. As well as the above, Sir Keir and Jon Ashworth have been forced into hypocritically defending David Lammy’s massive outside earnings despite a promise to ban second jobs. Enjoy the squirming:
'Should David Lammy be allowed to earn that sort of money from second jobs?' - #KayBurley #WestminsterAccounts
— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 10, 2023
Labour's @JonAshworth says "everything is declared" and it's "within the rules".
Find out more here: https://t.co/GJdBzJJxMH
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 pic.twitter.com/MEEQbkNZmH
One rule for Labour…
*Tortoise Media gets significant funding from BP.
