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Ukip suffers fall in level of private donations Ukip suffers fall in level of private donations
(about 13 hours later)
Figures showing Ukip gets more cash through state money than from any of its private donors individuallyhave highlighted the party’s funding collapse.Figures showing Ukip gets more cash through state money than from any of its private donors individuallyhave highlighted the party’s funding collapse.
Data on donations to political parties for the final quarter of 2015, released by the Electoral Commission, show that Ukip received £89,869 in “Short money” or funds distributed to opposition parties at Westminster. Ukip is eligible for the public funds because it has an MP, Douglas Carswell. Data on donations to political parties for the final quarter of 2015, released by the Electoral Commission, show that Ukip received £89,869 from a special Electoral Commission policy development fund.
The “Short money” was slightly more than Ukip’s largest private donation for the period: £80,000 from Ko Barclay, the stepson of the newspaper magnate Sir Frederick Barclay. The public funds were slightly more than Ukip’s largest private donation for the period: £80,000 from Ko Barclay, the stepson of the newspaper magnate Sir Frederick Barclay.
The company Rock Services gave the party a “non-cash” donation of £34,232.69, which is believed to be the use of a telephone phone bank.The company Rock Services gave the party a “non-cash” donation of £34,232.69, which is believed to be the use of a telephone phone bank.
Related: Ukip MP Douglas Carswell admits 'loyalty to all Eurosceptics'Related: Ukip MP Douglas Carswell admits 'loyalty to all Eurosceptics'
The donation shows the strong link between Rock Services and Grassroots Out (GO), the anti-EU group which is hoping to win “lead” designation from the Electoral Commission as the main leave campaign in the referendum on Europe.The donation shows the strong link between Rock Services and Grassroots Out (GO), the anti-EU group which is hoping to win “lead” designation from the Electoral Commission as the main leave campaign in the referendum on Europe.
Arron Banks, the former Ukip donor who is funding GO and the associated Leave.EU group, is a director of Rock Services. The phone bank has also been used by GO and Leave.EU.Arron Banks, the former Ukip donor who is funding GO and the associated Leave.EU group, is a director of Rock Services. The phone bank has also been used by GO and Leave.EU.
Ukip was funded to the tune of £286,151 in the final quarter of 2015, including £196,282 in private donations altogether and £89,869 in “Short money”. This was dwarfed even by the Liberal Democrats who received a total of £828,657 after their electoral drubbing. Ukip was funded to the tune of £286,151 in the final quarter of 2015, including £196,282 in private donations altogether and £89,869 in Electoral Commission funds. This was dwarfed even by the Liberal Democrats who received a total of £828,657 after their electoral drubbing.
A Ukip spokesman said there was no surprise in the funding levels because its supporters wanted to donate to the leave campaign. “These are campaign donors. People give money to Ukip to fight for Britain’s exit from the EU so we can hardly complain when they give money to the campaigns fighting for Britain’s exit from the EU.”A Ukip spokesman said there was no surprise in the funding levels because its supporters wanted to donate to the leave campaign. “These are campaign donors. People give money to Ukip to fight for Britain’s exit from the EU so we can hardly complain when they give money to the campaigns fighting for Britain’s exit from the EU.”
The Conservatives received £5.4m (£5.1m in private donations and £303,740 in pubic funds) while Labour received £4.1m (£2.6m in donations) and £1.49m in public funds.The Conservatives received £5.4m (£5.1m in private donations and £303,740 in pubic funds) while Labour received £4.1m (£2.6m in donations) and £1.49m in public funds.
Labour pointed out that the Tories raised £2.2m of their overall funding from just 49 members of the Leaders’ Group of donors who have access to senior cabinet ministers.Labour pointed out that the Tories raised £2.2m of their overall funding from just 49 members of the Leaders’ Group of donors who have access to senior cabinet ministers.
Jon Ashworth, the shadow cabinet minister, accused the Tories of seeking to rig the political system with planned cuts to “Short money” and new rules to discourage donations by trade union members.Jon Ashworth, the shadow cabinet minister, accused the Tories of seeking to rig the political system with planned cuts to “Short money” and new rules to discourage donations by trade union members.
“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,” Ashworth said.“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,” Ashworth said.
The Tories pointed out that 80% of Labour’s donations came from unions, of which £900,000 came from Unite.The Tories pointed out that 80% of Labour’s donations came from unions, of which £900,000 came from Unite.