Conservative Donors Pour Cash into Key Election Battlegrounds

Conservative donors have poured more than £2.5m into key election battlegrounds to shore 0️⃣ up support for MPs, such as Liam Fox and Penny Mordaunt, who are in danger of losing their seats. The 0️⃣ 2024 election will be the highest-spending UK contest, after the government raised national election limits to £34m per party – 0️⃣ leaving the Conservatives and Labour in an arms race to raise cash. Tory candidates and their associations in some of 0️⃣ the most closely contested seats have been bringing in £50,000–£100,000 from donors over the last year, as tight local spending 0️⃣ limits kick in only during the last five weeks of the campaign.

Conservative Candidates Rush Out Mailshots Before Spending Deadline

A last-minute 0️⃣ splurge by candidates is expected next week before the campaign deadline of 30 May. MPs and activists across the parties 0️⃣ said they were rushing out mailshots before the regulated period for spending kicks in, and tens of thousands of pounds 0️⃣ were being spent on targeted letters and surveys. A briefing pack for Conservative candidates urges them to spend as much 0️⃣ as possible between now and 30 May getting targeted social media adverts and campaign material out, as whatever can be 0️⃣ delivered and posted between now and 30 May will not count towards candidate election expenses.

Experts Warn of Powerful Donors Influencing 0️⃣ Results

Experts have warned that the parties are increasingly getting their funds from a small number of big donors with the 0️⃣ power to influence results in marginal seats – despite Labour's commanding lead in the national polls. The prime minister has 0️⃣ made light of his disastrous general election announcement, but experts warn of the dangers of powerful donors influencing results in 0️⃣ marginal seats.