02 March 2023 , 11:12
938
0
Labour has received a massive boost to its general election war chest, with over £6million from private donors and companies alone in 2022.
The figure represents the biggest cash boost from wealthy individuals in a non-general election year since 2008, according to the party.
Data published today shows that in the three months to December, Keir Starmer's party raked in £3.2million from individuals and companies.
Over £1million in donations was recorded from trade unions, according to new figures from the Electoral Commission.
The data shows the party is closing the funding gap with the Tories, who raised over £4million from individuals and companies in the same period.
Michelle Mone's husband gifted Tories 'over £171k' as Covid PPE row rumbles on
In total Labour recieved over £6million over the course of the year from private donors and companies.
By far the biggest individual gift came from Lord Sainsbury - the former chair of the supermarket chain - with a £2million donation to Labour.
Labour donor Lord Sainsbury with ex-PM Gordon Brown (PA)He said earlier this week that Mr Starmer had the "leadership skills and ability to deal with the economic difficulties" the country faces.
He added: “He also wants to reunite the country around an agenda of economic growth and social justice, which is one I strongly support."
Lord Sainsbury's daughter Franceca Perrin donated £500,000 to the party in the three months to September 2022, previous figures have shown.
Last year the multi-millionaire ex-Tory donor Gareth Quarry also revealed he had given Mr Starmer's party a donation of £50,000.
At the time he criticised the "GCSE economics" of the Tories after 49-day Prime Minister Liz Truss's disastrous mini-Budget that caused market turmoil.
A Labour spokesperson said: "Thanks to Keir Starmer's leadership, the Labour Party is in a strong and positive financial position, having experienced significant growth in income throughout 2022.
"As we had towards a general election, donors are returning and we are investing in new talent."
They added: “The Labour Party is a changed party that is serious about getting into government and building a fairer, greener, more dynamic Britain.”
Tories backed locals over wifi masts while taking cash from firms behind them
But a spokesperson for the left-wing group Momentum said it was "worrying to see Labour rake in millions from corporate interests".
They added: "Labour should be embracing the cleanest money in politics - that of trade unions and ordinary members. We should serve the many, not the few."