Sir Keir Starmer's election team has been utilizing a £4 million Georgian townhouse in Soho, owned by Lord Alli, for strategy meetings. This revelation comes amidst growing scrutiny over the Labour Party's use of properties owned by the prominent donor.
The Soho property, acquired by Lord Alli in 2020, has hosted senior aides and shadow ministers, including Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Sue Gray, Starmer's chief of staff. This marks the second London property lent by Alli for Labour's use in the lead-up to the election.
Previously, Starmer had used Alli's £18 million Covent Garden penthouse for six weeks during the campaign. The Labour leader stated that the property allowed his son to study for his GCSEs "without being disturbed." It was later revealed that Starmer had also used this location to make a broadcast during the pandemic, urging the public to work from home.
The use of these properties has raised questions about transparency and potential conflicts of interest. The Cabinet Office has declined to disclose whether Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary, was present at meetings in either of the luxury properties.
This situation is part of a broader pattern of Labour figures using Alli's properties. Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, stayed at his $2.5 million Manhattan apartment during a New Year holiday in 2023. While Rayner defended the practice on BBC, stating that "donations for gifts and hospitality and monetary donations have been a feature of our politics for a very long time," the controversy has continued to grow.
The revelations have led to internal criticism within the Labour Party. Rosie Duffield, a backbench MP, recently quit the party, accusing Starmer of presiding over "sleaze, nepotism and apparent avarice" that is "off the scale." She criticized his acceptance of designer suits from Lord Alli while pursuing policies such as the two-child benefit cap and the scrapping of winter fuel payments.
These events have sparked a debate about the role of wealthy donors in British politics and the potential influence they may wield. While there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Lord Alli, the situation highlights the complex relationship between political parties and their financial supporters.
As the election approaches, the Labour Party faces increased scrutiny over its funding and relationships with donors. The use of Alli's properties for campaign purposes has brought attention to the broader issue of political financing and transparency in the UK.
"I get that people are frustrated, in particular the circumstances that we're in, but donations for gifts and hospitality and monetary donations have been a feature of our politics for a very long time."
The ongoing controversy surrounding these property uses and donations raises questions about the need for reform in political funding and the importance of maintaining public trust in the democratic process. As the election draws nearer, it remains to be seen how this issue will impact Labour's campaign and public perception of the party's leadership.