Latest editorial
ANDY BURNHAM accepted £345,000 in donations over the past year, including from £164,347 from billionaire Lord Sainsbury.
Most donations were taken to pay for Mr Burnham’s run to become the Makerfield MP and leader of the Labour Party, according to the PM’s first declarations revealed since being elected, released on Tuesday.
Alongside the former supermarket businessman, Mr Burnham received £25,000 from businessman Gary Lubner, one the biggest donors to the Keir Starmer-linked think tank Labour Together, which has now changed its name to ThinkLabour.
The PM also received £22,186 from ThinkLabour directly and a further £35,000 from former Greater Manchester night-life tsar Sacha Lord.
TV production company Charlie Parsons Creative also contributed £50,000 to his campaign.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “It’s right that political campaigns are funded by the generous support of party donors, rather than via the public purse.
“All declarations have been made in line with parliamentary and Electoral Commission rules.”
The new PM’s opening addresses offered hope, council homes and reform — but little detail on how any of it will be delivered, warns CLAUDIA WEBBE
Labour’s toxic centrists have wealthy backers but there’s little to suggest they can win over MPs or party members in an open fight, writes SOLOMON HUGHES
