Politics is expensive. It's no surprise that Parties rely on donations - be it from members, unions, businesses or individuals. And it's no surprise that people will want something in return for that donation.
Notoriously, the Leave campaign groups outspent the Remain campaigns by significant - still not fully disclosed - amounts. And the Conservatives always raise, and spend, significantly more than other Parties.
Perhaps, one day, we'll have a ceiling on donations, rigorously enforced. With full transparency.
Until then, all you can do is be mindful of where the money is coming from, the huge differentials in donations, and think about what that money buys.
If o were less lazy, I'd find a link to the campaign spends and listed donations of the main Parties - they do exist in partial form. The difference in amounts is sobering.
And, yes, there's a fine line between raising donations with raffle prizes like breakfast with Johnson, or a magic trick with the minister for defence and actual cash for access.
It's murky. And depressing.
I'm astonished at the sums involved here. No wonder the Conservatives keep winning elections. 🤷♀️