Critics have accused the Prime Minister of wanting to change the rules on political donations after opponent’s bumper gift
Nigel Farage has welcomed £72million in donations (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham’s head must be spinning. Not because he’s just completed the Great North Run in a commendable 1hr 57mins, but because one of the Labour Party’s big political rivals has just hit the jackpot.
Reform UK’s two £36million donations – the largest in British political history – have boosted Nigel Farage’s war chest by a whopping £72million. The stunning development has dramatically changed the political landscape, and Burnham knows it. Reform was on the ropes less than a fortnight ago following a donation scandal, now they’re dancing around the ring taunting their rivals like Mohammed Ali.
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The combined £72million from crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne has injected new urgency – and a hint of panic – into Labour’s ongoing debate on how to regulate political donations, with even the unions now looking like they’ll ease their resistance to a cap on individual donors.
Given that Burnham backed a donations cap earlier this year, then declined to introduce one this month, will we now see that rare thing from a Prime Minister – a full 360-degree turn?
Reform has accused Labour of wanting to change the rules.
When Stella Creasy and other MPs proposed a £100,000 cap in the Elections Bill earlier this month, the Government didn’t accept it, and her amendment wasn’t put to a vote after Burnham said a task force would look at going further.
But Angela Rayner, the Cabinet minister in charge of the Bill, told the Sunday political shows she wasn’t ruling out a cap on individual donations.
Labour politicians are already mobilising to pile pressure on the Government to go further.
In the House of Lords on Monday, Labour peer Lord Wills, a longstanding proponent of a donations cap, will raise the issue when the Elections Bill arrives for its second reading.
At this stage, peers won’t be voting on specific amendments, but it is a chance for them to lay down a marker ahead of the Bill’s committee stage next month.
Perhaps more significantly, the issue is on everyone’s lips at the Trades Union Congress during its annual get-together in Brighton.
Labour-affiliated unions have been lobbying for months against a UK donations cap, yet TUC general secretary Paul Nowak called the £72million “game-changing” on Sunday and didn’t rule out changing his position.
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And Unite general secretary Sharon Graham told Sky outright: “The Government needs to act now to cap individual donations in a clear message that British democracy is not for sale.”
Both Nowak and Rayner will speak at the TUC on Monday.
Like Burnham’s half-marathon conquests, there are plenty more miles to go on this issue.
But the speed of change could happen much more quickly as Westminster tries to keep up with Reform.
GB News turns tense in explosive migrant clash: ‘Be quiet!’
Presenter Ben Leo fired back at political commentator Matthew Stadlen.
Ben Leo fired back at Matthew Stadlen after he attempted to interrupt him (Image: GB News)
GB News took a tense turn on Sunday (13 September) as presenter Ben Leo clashed with political commentator Matthew Stadlen live on air. Appearing on the programme to discuss the impact of the French deal on the small boats crisis, the duo also reflected on ex-Chancellor George Osborne‘s calls for the UK to rejoin the customs union.
“I suspect that if we were to rejoin the customs union, it would help us economically,” Matthew began. “There’s no doubt that Brexit has harmed us economically – [but] that doesn’t mean I think we should have another referendum.”
“Anyway, despite the anti-Britishness being peddled by your guest Thomas there, we have over the first two quarters, over the first half of this year, the highest growth – it’s not massive growth – but the highest growth in the G7 and that, of course, includes the United States of America,” he continued.
“I’m also astonished to hear from you, Ben, that you think France should be treated as a hostile state,” Matthew noted, firing at the GB News host.
“What would that involve? Does that mean we would get banned from going to France on our summer holidays? How far do you take this?”
“Absolutely,” Ben replied. “There is nothing more serious than what is going on with the small boats crisis,” he declared, before Matthew attempted to cut in, talking over the journalist.
“Hang on, I’m talking now,” Ben snapped back, raising his voice. “You just had a monologue, so be quiet! The national security, there have been thousands of men – we don’t know who they are or where they’re from, what their intentions are – breaking into Britain.
“That should be the number-one national security issue for this nation. If that means severing ties with France politically and economically, I say do it.”
Former Chancellor George Osborne is calling for the UK to rejoin the customs union (Image: Getty)
Following the fiery debate, viewers were quick to respond on X. “@Benleo, that’s the problem with the left, they think they only have the right to speak, and everyone else has to shut up. Sorry @MatthewStadlen, it ain’t happening,” wrote one. “Well done, Ben. Why does GB News have that nasty person on?” added a second.
Among the comments, however, others questioned the journalist’s stance on cutting ties with France. “So there you have it, straight out of Ben Leo’s mouth. We should ban people from going on holiday to France and sever economic ties with France. Has Leo gone completely crazy?” tweeted a third. “Has Ben Leo taken leave of his senses?” quipped a fourth.