Lord Sainsbury regularly supported the Tories, but only gave money once after the EU referendum, where he supported Remain. Credit: KARUAY TANG /WIREIMAGE
The Tories raised five times more than Labor this summer following a £10 million bequest from a member of the Sainsbury family.
New figures show the Conservatives have raised more than £15 million since July. and September, compared with the £3 million received by Sir Keir Starmer's party.
The cash injection will boost the Conservatives' campaign budget and provide a boost for Rishi Sunak as he battles his own MPs over his immigration policies.
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Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover, who served as chairman of the supermarket for 23 years, died in January last year aged 94. His £10 million gift is the largest single donation the Tories have ever received.
He has regularly supported the party, but has only given money once since the EU referendum, in which he backed Remain.
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His cousin, Lord Sainsbury of Turville, who was also chairman of the family firm, is Labour's largest private financial backer.
Lord Sainsbury of Turville is Labour's biggest donor in recent years Photo: ANDREW CROWLEY/ANDREW CROWLEY
Figures released on Thursday by the Electoral Commission show the Conservatives received £15.4 million in donations over three months. to September.
It comes after the party celebrated a record quarter for donations outside of an election year, from January to March, as it prepares for the ballot box.
A Tory spokesman said: “2023 has been an extremely strong year. A year to raise funds.
“Many businessmen and entrepreneurs support the Prime Minister's economic plan and are concerned about Labour's policies of increased borrowing, higher taxes and anti-competitive regulation.”
A strong year for Labor
During the same three-month period, Labor received £3.1 million, while private donations totaled £15 million this year, the figures show.
The party said the latest figures show it is on track to deliver its most successful financial year outside the general election period.
The biggest benefactor in the same three-month period was Gary Lubner, a former Autoglass executive, who donated almost £700,000 and plans to donate £5. million until the next election.
Anneliese Dodds, the party's chair, said: “Thanks to Keir Starmer's leadership, the Labor Party is seeing significant financial growth throughout 2023.”
“Donors support the Labor Party, because they see we take working people seriously as we pursue our five missions to transform Britain.
“Labour is a changed party that will end Tory decline and give Britain a future again.”
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It comes after ministers raised the parties' spending limit for the next election from just under £19 million to around £35 million.
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