A special fund to fight the Tories???

I know that I chipped in a bit extra before the last election but I think it was nearer to the time of the election.
Not sure I would do it with an election at least a year in the future.

I’ve heard everything now.

trisher

I've had two e-mails today one from Keir Starmer and one from Team Labour both asking me to chip in and donate more money to help them fight the Tories. Now I thought that was the whole purpose of an opposition party. So is this just another indication that the LP are skint? And would you do it?

I think it sheds light on the fact that the Unions are being parsimonious regarding their support of the current leader of the Labour Party.

Are they going to jump ship to a breakaway one?

The LP doesn't have lots of rich donors, so yes, it is skint compared to the Tories, and yes, I'll be happy to donate when I'm asked.

I doubt that the Labour Party gets the sort of money from dodgy Russians that the Tory party gets.

If you are tempted to support the LP, insist on a commitment to electoral reform, which was backed at their last conference by over 80% of constituency reps but blocked by the unions.

trisher

I've had two e-mails today one from Keir Starmer and one from Team Labour both asking me to chip in and donate more money to help them fight the Tories. Now I thought that was the whole purpose of an opposition party. So is this just another indication that the LP are skint? And would you do it?

Yes. I’ve rejoined the party and, as I only pay pensioners rate have given extra money.

Are you a part member trisha?
Yes I am, yes I’ve had email requests, yes I;ll donate a bit of cash

varian

I doubt that the Labour Party gets the sort of money from dodgy Russians that the Tory party gets.

If you are tempted to support the LP, insist on a commitment to electoral reform, which was backed at their last conference by over 80% of constituency reps but blocked by the unions.

But ok for Barry Gardiner (Labour) to accept £500k from a Chinese spy (named by M15).

No it’s not ok. Barry Gardiner is reported to be deeply distressed

I had the emails too and I will be contributing. I am a member but I also send money at election times as elections are very expensive and the Labour Party has never had anything like the funding the Tories have. We have had three elections in rapid succession - 2015;2017;2019 - when normally they are approximately every five years. The Tories changed the rules so that Union members had to opt in, not opt out, of the political levy and state, I think, to which Party their levy should go. Most people who join Unions are deemed to be Labour-inclined but not all members want to pay, or remember to pay, the levy. Hence, Labour suffers with the new change. It is my great hope that all the Unions will recognise the need to pull together to deliver a Labour Government at the next election, or, at the very least slash that massive majority.

I don't think I want to give money to an organisation I very much fear is going to fail. I can't see a few quid here or there is going to compensate for the Union money or the lost membership fees. Particularly when Starmer paid out so much in compensation, against legal advice. The e-mails have made me really fear that the LP is not going to be able to fight another election and I can't see my cash helping them that much.

Nobodies forcing you to give them money.. But you are doing your bit in turning people against them as much as possible.

trisher you must do whatever you feel right doing. Personally I would never donate to any political party, but that’s just me, and what’s right for me. If you feel you want to donate, do so, but if not, then don’t. You sound as if you’re veering towards not donating.

Exactly. Thanks for contributing to helping the electorate see the Labour Party as unfit to govern. As if Starmer abs his front bench are worse fir the country than Johnson and co

Come what may, Trisher, we, in the Labour Movement, will be out there door-stepping in all weathers if need be to deliver a Labour Government. Small contributions, feet on the ground, can make a difference. The last thing people who support the Labour Movement want, is to wake up the morning after the election, to another massive Tory majority. If we get that, just watch how everything the workers' have won since the foundation of the movement goes straight down the drain.

MayBee70

Nobodies forcing you to give them money.. But you are doing your bit in turning people against them as much as possible.

But I didn't turn the Unions against the LP nor did I tell all the people who cancelled their membership to do so. I don't think any money they can collect from ordinary people will in any way compensate for that huge loss.
I think it is very unfortunate that an opposition party is having to beg. But if you are suggesting that I am responsible in some way for their financial situation I think that's a bit inaccurate. Responsibility rests firmly with the leader and his cronies. I think if they really had any credibility they would be working to restore proper financing and not passing the begging bowl.

Iam64

Exactly. Thanks for contributing to helping the electorate see the Labour Party as unfit to govern. As if Starmer abs his front bench are worse fir the country than Johnson and co

The Labour Party is perfectly fit to govern and Larry the cat could do better than Johnson. Starmer isn't and never has been the Labour Party although he obviously thinks he is.
I do think at some point he will have to go.

Devorgilla

Come what may, Trisher, we, in the Labour Movement, will be out there door-stepping in all weathers if need be to deliver a Labour Government. Small contributions, feet on the ground, can make a difference. The last thing people who support the Labour Movement want, is to wake up the morning after the election, to another massive Tory majority. If we get that, just watch how everything the workers' have won since the foundation of the movement goes straight down the drain.

Devorgilla sadly I think these e-mails represent the start of the movement going down the drain. Do you really think a decent and succesful campaign can be run without proper funding?

MayBee70

trisher

I've had two e-mails today one from Keir Starmer and one from Team Labour both asking me to chip in and donate more money to help them fight the Tories. Now I thought that was the whole purpose of an opposition party. So is this just another indication that the LP are skint? And would you do it?

Yes. I’ve rejoined the party and, as I only pay pensioners rate have given extra money.

Same here.

We do know you'd rather scupper the country and let the Tories again, than to support Keir Starmer who has a real chance to win, with clever alliances.

This is tragic to my mind- but there you go. No-one is forcing you to contibute.

I do wish people would stop accusing me of things and explain their own point of view. I am in fact seriously worried that the LP will not only fail to run a decent election campaign simply because they are so strapped for money but that in doing so they will effectvely make this country a single party state. I think instead of begging for money there should be a massive effort to create unity, to make peace with the Unions and to readmit those dismissed from the party, so that a large party, a broad church party can fight a proper election. Unfortunately I don't think Starmer is a big enough man to do it.

We disagree . In my view it isn’t about whether Starmer “is a big enough man to do it”. It’s whether the LP can become a modern, centre left part with a much broader appeal than it had at the last election. Johnson didn’t win thst 80 seat majority single handedly. Ask anyone involved in canvassing for the LP at thst time. Here in this red wall seat, we know that all too well

Yes, thank you Iam64. You can't create unity with a section which is living totally in the past, in a world that no longer exists, and its ghosts.

There cannot be unity, a broad church party reaches out to all
parts of the country , I repeat - the days of coal mines, iron works are gone.