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Increase in Tory donors

The latest list of the party's major donors reveals that there are now 83 donors giving more than £5,000 to Conservative funds, compared to 33 the previous year.

Party Chairman Michael Ancram said: "This new list proves that we have succeeded in one of our key aims - to broaden the base of party funding."

He also praised the efforts of party treasurer Michael Ashcroft, who is suing The Times over allegations the newspaper made about his business dealings in Belize.

"He has found many more people prepared to finance the Conservative Party," said Mr Ancram.

In 1997 Tory leader William Hague undertook an obligation to publish the names of all donors who have given more than £5,000 to the party.

This year's names include public figures like Tory peer Lord Harris of Peckham, Dixons head Sir Stanley Kalms and Michael Ashcroft himself.

Large donations have also been received from private individuals and companies.

The news came the day after a Labour Party fundraising dinner in Bournemouth, for which diners were said to have paid £350 "per plate" and which was expected to raise up to £250,000 for Labour funds.

Home Secretary Jack Straw recently published proposals to ban overseas donations and requiring parties to disclose the identity of donors who gave parties £5,000 or more.

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