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£5.6m from party donors puts Tories out in front
28.08.08
Gordon Brown was left trailing in David Cameron's wake again today as new figures on party finances showed donations to the Tories dwarfed those to Labour.
The Conservatives pulled in £5.6million between April and June this year, the 10th consecutive quarter where they outstripped the Government in the funding stakes.
Labour attracted just £ 3.8million, with the trade unions providing the bulk of its cash, while the Liberal Democrats took £945,000.
Details of the donations came as it emerged that Cabinet ministers are prepared to give Mr Brown until November to turn around Labour's fortunes.
But ministers are set to act to oust the Prime Minister if his " autumn relaunch" - including an economic recovery plan - fails.
The Electoral Commission's latest figures underline how the Tories are managing to attract supporters in anticipationof Mr Cameron winning the next election.
Among their donors are pop star Chris Rea, who gave £25,000, and Wigan Football Club chief Dave Whelan, who gave £250,000. Hans and Marit Rausing, the Tetra Pak millionaires, also gave nearly £100,000.
Labour was given £121,000 by Steve Lazarides, the agent for street artist Banksy. Comedian Eddie Izzard also gave nearly £10,000.
Three big City financiers, including Mr Brown's friend Sir Ronald Cohen, gave £750,000, but it was the union Unite which gave the biggest sum at £1.5million.
The figures also showed that Labour's total debt stands at £17.8million, a legacy from the loans made during the "cash for honours" saga under Tony Blair.
Ministers today appeared to be backing off attempts to remove Mr Brown ahead of the party's conference in Manchester next month.
Critics claim they want to give him "one last chance" to see if he can boost the party in the polls.
