Labour donors trump Tories

Labour's "big donations" netted the party nearly twice as much as the Conservatives over the last three months, the Electoral Commission said.

Previous donations of £2m from Lord Sainsbury, Lord Hamlyn and former Tory businessman Christopher Ondaatje have raised concerns the party is too reliant on rich individuals.

But Labour estimates only 20% of its revenue comes from large single donations, compared to 40% from individual members and 10% from commercial activities.

The Electoral Commission's latest list of donations to political parties shows the Labour Party was given more than £2.7m from July to September while the Conservative Party received just under £1.4m.

The figures are a reversal in fortune for the parties. In the previous quarter, the Tories received £12.4m compared with £5.3m for Labour and £840,000 for the Liberal Democrats.

Substantial fall

The new report shows the Liberal Democrats received donations worth around £190,000 - less than the Scottish National Party, which pulled in £240,000.

There was a substantial fall in the amount of money given to parties this time - largely because the previous list covered the general election period in which donations were much larger.

Labour continues to be largely bankrolled by the trade unions - one donation from the TGWU was £400,250.

The Tories still rely on business and individual donors such as Lord Kirkham, who donated £50,000.

The Lib Dems received individual cash donations of more than £6,000 from both Manchester Airport Plc and McDonalds Hamburgers Ltd.

Published quarterly, the Electoral Commission figures include only donations of £5,000 or more to central party funds and £1,000 or more to constituency offices.