Glass repair chief leads Labour to record £13m private donations ahead of election

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The Labour occasion bolstered its election battle chest by over £13m final 12 months thanks to record private donations.

Autoglass boss Gary Lubner led the cost as he donated £4.5 million to the occasion, having beforehand pledged to give extra to Labour earlier than an election.

Speaking to the Financial Times final 12 months, the South African-born businessman – whose grandparents had been Jewish refugees – stated he had been appalled by the size of antisemitism within the Labour occasion below Jeremy Corbyn’s management and praised Keir Starmer for ridding the occasion of its “cancer”.

The occasion is now celebrating its finest performing 12 months ever for particular person donations because it maintains a 22-point lead ahead of the Tories in polls.

Anneliese Dodds, Labour Party Chair, stated: “With Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour Party is a changed party and donors can see we are serious about delivering for working people with five missions to transform Britain.

“We have received a significant financial boost, with last year being our best on record, but as the Tories gear up for a May election, we will continue to fundraise to meet it.”

Despite senior Conservative officers insisting the nation gained’t take to the polls till the second half of the 12 months, senior Labour occasion sources say they’re getting ready for a May election.

Labour’s shadow paymaster basic Jonathan Ashworth made a wager with Sky News’ Kay Burley that there can be election in that month.

He stated: “This election is coming in May. I think it is definitely coming in May… the Conservatives are planning for that.”

Now Sir Keir’s occasion have a warchest to deal with the wealthier Tories – receiving £13,131,614.70 in particular person and firm donations in 2023, with a large £4.2 million within the closing quarter of the 12 months alone, in accordance to figures revealed by the Electoral Commission.

British businessman and philanthropist Baron Sainsbury of Turville, former chairman of Sainsbury’s and life peer, gave £3.07m, whereas his daughter Francesca Perrin was the biggest-donating lady with a £1.06m present.

Sir David Sainsbury had been a long-standing Labour donor however abandoned the occasion below Jeremy Corbyn, as a substitute gifting £8 million to the Lib Dems. Sir David returned to the fold below Keir Starmer’s management.

In 2021, the occasion obtained only a £1.5 million in private donations, and in 2022, £5.9 million.

2023’s bumper 12 months is rivalled solely by 2005, the place the occasion raised £10.8 million below Tony Blair.

Labour additionally accepted one other £1m from inexperienced vitality industrialist Dale Vince’s Ecotricity agency in November, in accordance to figures revealed by the Electoral Commission.

The Conservative occasion additionally had a profitable fundraising 12 months, taking in virtually £41 million in private donations in 2023.

The Tories single greatest donation got here from the late Lord John Davan Sainsbury – the cousin of Lord David Sainsbury – who bequested the occasion £10,000,000 in his will.

In complete, Labour obtained round £31 million in money donations to the central occasion total, whereas the ruling occasion secured round £48 million.

The Liberal Democrats reported round £8 million and Reform UK £255,000 in complete money donations for the 12 months.

£200,000 of Reform’s donation got here from First Corporate Consultants Ltd, an organization owned by distinguished local weather sceptic and former Tory donor Terence Mordaunt.

The occasion additionally accepted £10,000 from financier Crispin Odey in August 2023, round two months after misconduct allegations in opposition to him emerged, the figures affirm.

The Conservatives have been approached for remark.