The right wing press had kittens about Starmer receiving some free glasses, yet are shtum about Farage receiving £5 million in the twelve months prior to him becoming an MP
I hold no candle for Reform or Farage but you and James O'brien are epically missing the point.
Firstly, Starmer et al were politicians at the time, already capable of voting on laws that affect all of us. Secondly, as a quid pro quo they gave the donor access to the building and the people in it, floating security rules ans for no legitimate reason.
Thirdly, as an MP it is necessary to declare these gifts and Labour were extremely vocal about the Tories doing similar - hence massive hypocrisy on show.
Lastly, most important of all, these were people on the brink of becoming the government and therefore in a position to influence - indeed to propose - laws that could benefit their donor, or to confer honours upon them.
Moreover, as well as contributions and general members of the party, the Labour party was given public money as an opposition party (Short Money, and Policy Development Grants - see bottom of post for more info).
By comparison Farage was not an MP, was not in a position to grant access to any government buildings, and not in any imminent danger of getting into power. I can't recall if he was also baying for the Tories blood on the topic of freebies and excess.
However, Reform in 2024 was not eligible for public money as it had no MPs. Founded as brexit party in 2018 it became Reform in 2021, only gaining MPs in 2024.
That means that from the time that Reform was created (2021), to when Farage got his £5m windfall, Reform had received £0
Policy Development Grants; Labour by contrast had received £6m.
So the complaint cannot be about the money itself, only about the source of the money.
Personally I think it stinks that public money is paid to political parties to assist them.in developing policies. An independent MP is excluded.
The barrier for new political groupings is way too high and stacked in favour of the incumbent parties. Not a good thing for democracy.
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Short Money: Paid to opposition parties (not each MP) in the House of Commons. It is based on the number of seats and votes won at the general election.
Policy Development Grants: £2 million distributed annually by the Electoral Commission to parties with at least two MPs to help develop policy for election manifestos.