Comparing the funding of the Tories by one rich man to Labour's contributions from the unions whose funding comes from the contributions its 2 million members.
The latest string of revelations from prominent Tories, Howard Flight and Lord “never had it so good” Young, only serve to highlight the differences between a party funded by the large donations of a few rich men and a party whose funding is made up of the contributions of thousands of ordinary working people, via the unions.
As Rob Carr points out in his blog, the disparity between four union’s (Unite, Unison, USDAW and CWU) donations to Labour – unions representing almost 2 million members in total – and one single donor, David Rowland, contributing a personal donation of more than £1 million to the Conservatives is stark.
By comparison, if you divide the £1.9m of union donations by the 1,998,000 members they represent, it works out at approximately 95p per person.
The fact that places like ConservativeHome can blithely peddle the argument that Ed Milliband is somehow less accountable because he is beholden to the unions, diverse organisations, accountable to the views of their hundreds of thousands of members, is perplexing to say the least.
Howard Flight’s comments are a case in point, his view seems to be that there is something objectionable to any policy which would encourage the poor to “breed” and prevent the somehow more worthy middle classes to add to their progeny.
Putting the distasteful use of the word “breeding” aside, these comments highlight a party committed to the world views of their rich members, rather than a variety of people unions represent. As has already been much discussed, Lord Young’s startling revelations similarly show the lack of understanding of how the majority of people in this country face life’s daily challenges people within the Tory party.
Tory party chair Baroness Warsi recently said “Ed Miliband needs to make clear who is running his party – him or the trade unions” – yet, in light of the latest donation figures, the real question must be who runs the Tory party: Mr Cameron or his cabal of rich (mainly male) donors?
34 Responses to “Who runs the Tory party – Cameron or his rich donors?”
Anon E Mouse
Chris – The comment was in answer to Henry who couldn’t name someone who had made £millions from “socialist” politics. I just mentioned Neil Kinnock and his family.
Not as bad I suppose as Little Ed Miliband, (the property millionaire union stooge and darling of posh boy eco toffs like Joss Garman and his bunch of middle class wusses) with his tax avoidance and rank hypocrisy.
Not that anyone is taking him seriously any more than they are taking you seriously Chris, you New Labour lickspittle…
Chris
@mouse
Your trolling is becoming ever more unimaginative, you don’t even bother with straw men any more just the same old lines repeated again and again. You never did past the Turing test very convincingly but your failing it badly now.
And if your such a hard worker, why are you posting during the day? Get back to work you lazy bum.
Anon E Mouse
Chris – I’m impressed you know what a Turing test is – just shows your daddy’s efforts to get you educated paid off a bit at least.
I’m repairing machines all this month and they give me a 13 minute test cycle so I have plenty of time to deal with a New Labour lickspittle like yourself.
And it’s “you’re” not “your” btw.
Now you get some work done yourself you middle class posh boy eco toff and fanboy of Joss Garman and Little Ed – the cheating Labour leader!
Chris
“I’m impressed you know what a Turing test is”
LOL, you’re working 25 hours a day for the NMW – you must be a real genius.
“I’m repairing machines all this month and they give me a 13 minute test cycle”
You’re a computer repair man?
“so I have plenty of time to deal with a New Labour lickspittle like yourself.”
WTF?
“Now you get some work done yourself you middle class posh boy eco toff and fanboy of Joss Garman and Little Ed – the cheating Labour leader!”
Yawn, I don’t know why you bother. Either you’re paid troll or a very sad little man.