Issue 15
Donations to political parties in 2009
The Conservative Party had built up a big election war chest by the end of last year, judging by figures from the watchdog, the Electoral Commission.
A total of £32.5 million was received by the Conservative Party at national and local level last year — over double the sum that Labour received in 2009.
Labour in turn received more than two and a half times the sum received by the Liberal Democrats.
Over £18 million of the £27 million received in donations by the Tories came from rich individuals.
Donations to political parties in 2009
| Party | Donations (£000) | Donations (No) | Total* (£000) | Total* (No) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservatives | 27,086 | 1,604 | 32,514 | 1,617 |
| Labour | 15,213 | 1,183 | 16,221 | 1,189 |
| Liberal Democrats | 3,887 | 1,020 | 6,213 | 1,035 |
| UKIP | 1,404 | 184 | 1,404 | 184 |
| Co-operative Party | 925 | 59 | 925 | 59 |
* Includes public funds for the three main parties
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/party-finance/party-finance-analysis/party-funding