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.
The BBC has been working hard to maintain its record of failing to meet transparency standards. On this morning’s Today programme, the BBC invited CEO Dale Vince to discuss the Autumn Statement, introducing him simply as “The founder of the green energy provider Ecotricity”. Dale criticised the government before advocating for “100% green energy”. Nothing to do with his career interest in the renewable sector…
Dale is not just an eco-exec. He’s also a devout Corbynite. Dale has been pictured with Jezza and has described him as “inspirational”, “genuine” and “so real”. He’s also had some choice words for Boris, saying “up yours” to the “dodgy guy”. Of course, he has a right to a platform on the BBC, but he needs to be introduced properly so people are aware of his prior commitments.
To be fair to Dale, he’s transparent about his own affiliations, freely admitting to being a Labour donor. Shame the BBC can’t match his openness…
Sadiq Khan has granted lucrative contracts to a firm that donates to his party, Guido can reveal. Ecotricity was handed contracts worth £400,000 of taxpayers’ money every year by the current Mayor. Labour-donor Ecotricity is run by Dale Vince, who has also funded fox-killer Jolyon Maugham’s legal challenge to extend Article 50. Sadiq failed to declare a link to Dale Vince and Ecotricity when the contracts were awarded…
Sadiq has said that Ecotricity now provides all of the electricity for the Greater London Authority. Coincidentally, according to the Electoral Commission, Ecotricity has given £515,000 to the Labour Party since 2014 – £45,000 of this was during Sadiq Khan’s Mayoral bid. Added to this, just before the last mayoral election, Dale Vince was one of the business leaders who signed a public letter in support of Sadiq Khan.
The GLA’s code of conduct says holders of public office must “declare and resolve any interests and relationships.” Why didn’t Sadiq flag up the links between Dale Vince and Ecotricity, with the Labour Party and its London Mayor?
UPDATE: When asked by Guido about the story, a mayoral spokesperson claimed that “The Mayor and his team had no involvement in or knowledge of this contract award. GLA officers appointed an independent public sector energy procurement company to find the best provider for the GLA’s requirements. The contract ends on 31st March.”
