Home Billionaire backs Labor Party with £5,000 donation

TJ Morris donates £5,000 to Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Photograph: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

Through his retail empire, Mr Morris has reportedly amassed a personal fortune of more than £6 billion, making him one of the Labor Party's richest donors.

T.J. Morris donated £5,000 to Mr Streeting last month, parliamentary documents show.

And a Labor Party spokesman said: “Wes is proud to support successful businessmen like Tom.”

“The Labor Party is winning business support through our plans to ensure British businesses thrive, the economy grows and the NHS is supported. fit for the future. Business leaders know it is time for change and they are supporting the Labor Party to give Britain its future back.»

The Labor Party is winning support and funding from business leaders as public opinion tilts towards the opposition. Last week the Tories suffered historic double defeats in the Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire by-elections, with both previously safe seats going to Labor.

Mr Morris launched Home Bargains as a market stall in 1976, which contributed to its early expansion. through a personal overdraft.

The chain now operates almost 600 stores across the country and is the UK's largest independent grocer. The company employs 28,000 people and had revenues of £3.42 billion in 2022.

Earlier this year, Morris received more than £20 million in dividends from Home Bargains, despite Profits fell 26% to £290 million.

Mr Morris previously gave £10,000 to Labor Party's Steve Rotheram in 2017 as part of his successful bid to become mayor of Liverpool Metro.

It came under scrutiny last year for failing to repay taxpayer support Home Bargains received during the pandemic.

Home Bargains declined to comment.