Simon Kuper

You have all this money that you've taken out of Russia and you start giving it to a political party. So the ruling party, because you'd be an idiot to give to the opposition. And so a lot of conservative donations in the years between about 2010 and 2022 come from Russians, former Russians.

You have all this money that you've taken out of Russia and you start giving it to a political party. So the ruling party, because you'd be an idiot to give to the opposition. And so a lot of conservative donations in the years between about 2010 and 2022 come from Russians, former Russians.

There are some people who just genuinely believe in the party. And sometimes they want something, but mostly they just want that party to do well. And the key examples I cite from the past are the Sainsbury cousins. So you have David Sainsbury who gives Labour, I mean, probably the biggest Labour donor over time. in the several millions, and his cousin John Sainsbury gives to the Tories.

There are some people who just genuinely believe in the party. And sometimes they want something, but mostly they just want that party to do well. And the key examples I cite from the past are the Sainsbury cousins. So you have David Sainsbury who gives Labour, I mean, probably the biggest Labour donor over time. in the several millions, and his cousin John Sainsbury gives to the Tories.

And I don't think either, none of them were involved in the business anymore. They kind of left the family business, the supermarket, decades earlier. Both David and John just wanted their party to win. They're not asking for anything back. So you get that kind of donor.

And I don't think either, none of them were involved in the business anymore. They kind of left the family business, the supermarket, decades earlier. Both David and John just wanted their party to win. They're not asking for anything back. So you get that kind of donor.

And I think Lord Ali, who is the figure who was involved in the current Labour scandal, he's actually a mini Sainsbury in that way. He gives much smaller amounts to Labour, But he's been a Labour peer. He's been inside for 30 years. I think he just wants Labour to win and he feels, well, if they have nice clothes on TV, they're more likely to win.

And I think Lord Ali, who is the figure who was involved in the current Labour scandal, he's actually a mini Sainsbury in that way. He gives much smaller amounts to Labour, But he's been a Labour peer. He's been inside for 30 years. I think he just wants Labour to win and he feels, well, if they have nice clothes on TV, they're more likely to win.

I think what I would look at if I were doing investigative journalism is he is the chief fundraiser for the party. So I'm not so much worried about the money that Lord Ali gives because I think he gives because he's a supporter. I'm worried about the people who come to Lord Ali and say, you know, I'd like to give some money to Labour.

I think what I would look at if I were doing investigative journalism is he is the chief fundraiser for the party. So I'm not so much worried about the money that Lord Ali gives because I think he gives because he's a supporter. I'm worried about the people who come to Lord Ali and say, you know, I'd like to give some money to Labour.

No, I don't think he's particularly looking for a quid pro quo. And also, you know, if you're a rich person and you like politics and you're kind of a lord, you like hanging around the political scene, you have a pastor down in the street, often you just want to be involved. Yeah. And the people who run the show think, well, Why are we going to bring you in?

No, I don't think he's particularly looking for a quid pro quo. And also, you know, if you're a rich person and you like politics and you're kind of a lord, you like hanging around the political scene, you have a pastor down in the street, often you just want to be involved. Yeah. And the people who run the show think, well, Why are we going to bring you in?

You're not a major figure in the Labour Party. And then you say, oh, well, I can give you some money. So a lot of the donations are a little bit idiosyncratic. I'm not saying that what has happened with Labour now is okay at all. I think it's a disgrace. But I don't think it's, as you say, it's not big money. And I don't think the Lord Ali donations themselves are dangerous.

You're not a major figure in the Labour Party. And then you say, oh, well, I can give you some money. So a lot of the donations are a little bit idiosyncratic. I'm not saying that what has happened with Labour now is okay at all. I think it's a disgrace. But I don't think it's, as you say, it's not big money. And I don't think the Lord Ali donations themselves are dangerous.

I think his position as gatekeeper is dangerous.

I think his position as gatekeeper is dangerous.

You don't. So a lot of what political parties do is try to screw the donors. So often with the Conservative Party, you have this cohort of libertarian blokes in the city. Think of Crispin Odie or Paul Marshall. And these people, they genuinely want low tax, they hate the EU, they want no regulations, and they don't like any rules because they think rules don't apply to people like me.

You don't. So a lot of what political parties do is try to screw the donors. So often with the Conservative Party, you have this cohort of libertarian blokes in the city. Think of Crispin Odie or Paul Marshall. And these people, they genuinely want low tax, they hate the EU, they want no regulations, and they don't like any rules because they think rules don't apply to people like me.

So when COVID happens... The Tory donors are saying, just, you know, open it all up. Don't lock us down. Just let it all hang out. And they're very anti-lockdown. And the Tories have to be nice to these people and listen to them because they give you money. But the Tories are thinking, yeah, but our voters are pensioners. They like having an NHS. They often rely on pensions, other state benefits.

So when COVID happens... The Tory donors are saying, just, you know, open it all up. Don't lock us down. Just let it all hang out. And they're very anti-lockdown. And the Tories have to be nice to these people and listen to them because they give you money. But the Tories are thinking, yeah, but our voters are pensioners. They like having an NHS. They often rely on pensions, other state benefits.