Extent of the Tories’ unfair and partisan moves to rig the political system - Jonathan Ashworth

In response to today’s donations figures, Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s Shadow Minister without Portfolio said:

“These figures show the extent of the Tories’ unfair and partisan moves to rig the political system and give themselves an unfair advantage.

“In the final quarter of 2015 the Conservative Party raised a staggering £2.2 million from just 49 members of the exclusive ‘Leaders Group’ of donors.  In contrast Labour is proud to be supported by millions of working people, from teaching assistants to supermarket workers, builders to manufacturing workers, to name but a few.

“Through the Trade Union Bill and cuts to Short Money the Tories are using their parliamentary majority to deliver partial party funding reform and damage the opposition, while leaving their own funding base untouched and spending more on Special Advisers.

“The Tories are using every trick in the book to keep themselves in power and Labour will oppose these moves every step of the way.”