LOOK WHO’S COSYING UP TO THE RICH
Socialist Corbyn goes begging for donations from City fat cats
LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn has been pleading for funds at an elite gathering of the rich in his bid to take over the country.
He sped from the Commons to hold out a begging bowl for donations at a lavish dinner hosted by a club whose members pay a minimum £1,000 annual fee, the Daily Express can reveal. Mr Corbyn, a lifelong critic of rich political donors, was the star
‘He seems to have joined the ranks of the few not the many’
turn at the private function at a prestigious City society venue.
He was flanked by many of his closest allies, including shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott.
The hard-Left leader is understood to have asked the 200-strong gathering for funds to pay for staff in key general election target seats.
He told his audience that Labour is ready for a general election and attacked the Conservative government’s record on issues like poverty and Universal Credit.
The extravagant bash in the heart of London’s legal district came on Wednesday night, as Prime Minister Theresa May battled to save her Brexit deal in the Commons. The Labour leader has vowed to vote against it.
The dinner was organised by the former Thousand Club, set up under former Prime Minister Tony Blair in the 1990s to win over rich City backers. It has now been rebranded as the Rose Network in a bid to appear less controversial.
It offers access to politicians for the minimum £1,000 annual membership fee. But a £5,0000 elite option, known as the Chair’s Circle, allows members to attend drinks with senior Labour figures and an exclusive dinner with Ms Thornberry who chairs the club.
Affluent
Party sources said that since taking over Labour, Mr Corbyn has “always” attended Thousand Club events.
The significance of his presence this year is greater however, as Labour is hoping an election could be imminent if progress on Brexit is stalled.
Tory MPs last night accused the Labour leader of hypocrisy.
Conservative minister Richard Harrington said: “It is obvious that Mr Corbyn is following the path that Tony Blair laid out for raising money from affluent donors – precisely the kind of thing he accuses the Conservative Party of doing.
“I don’t think anyone will be fooled by the change of name. This is just aiming to fundraise for political purposes.”
Former minister Andrew Percy said: “This just proves what a hypocrite Jeremy Corbyn is – £5,000 just to attend a dinner is something most ordinary people can’t even relate to.
“It goes to show that when it comes to trying to get into power, principles don’t seem to matter to Jeremy Corbyn.”
Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow, added: “He seems to have joined the ranks of the few and not the many.”
The entourage of Labour politicians were driven straight to the event from the House of Commons as the mammoth five-day Brexit debate continued.
They were joined by Labour supporting comic Eddie Izzard as guests dressed in dinner suits and evening dresses to enjoy fine wine and canapes.
Mr Corbyn addressed delegates in the grand hall of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, which says on its website that it combines “intimacy, tradition and grandeur”. Other senior members of Mr Corbyn’s team mixed with members as they sought to boost support among wealthy donors. One told the
Daily Express: “There was a big speech about the fact that if we’re going to win the next election, what we need to have is either part-time or full-time organisers in all the marginal constituencies.
“The money that the Rose Network is going to pledge is going to be almost exclusively for grassroots organisers ready for the next election.
“In terms of the Thousand Club, what is changing is that the donors now see Jeremy as somebody who will run Britain safely. Four years ago, they thought he was dangerous.” As members of the club left the glitzy dinner, some were carrying red roses to symbolise the change.
The Labour leader has previously condemned how the Conservative Party is “bankrolled by the super rich”. He said during the 2017 General Election campaign: “Bankers like Morgan Stanley should not run our country, but they think they do. Because the party they fund and protects their interests – the Conservative Party – is in Downing Street.
“These are the same speculating gamblers who crashed our economy in 2008. And then we had to bail them out. Their greed plunged the world into crisis and we’re still paying the price.
“Labour is a growing movement of well over half a million members and a government-in-waiting that will work for the many. So when they say we’re a threat, they’re right.
“We’re a threat to a damaging and failed system that’s rigged for the
few.” Earlier this year, Mr Corbyn accused the Conservatives of being “bankrolled by the super rich”.
He claimed: “Labour’s funding comes from thousands of small donations and trade union members. We are building a people-powered movement to take on the rigged system.”
On the rebranded web-page for the Rose Network, Ms Thornberry says: “Since this network of members first came together, their support has achieved truly extraordinary things for our Party.
“Donations from our Rose Network members are crucial to our campaigning and organising work on the ground, both in and out of general election years, giving us the best possible chance of returning a Labour Government.
“I’m grateful for the support of every member and I would be personally delighted to welcome you to the Network.”
Dan Firth, Labour director of community organising, said: “When an election is called, our huge, united, people-powered teams will become unstoppable.
“Generous donations from our Rose Network members are so important in enabling this vital work.”
A Labour Party spokesman said: “Unlike the Tories, who rely on a few super-rich donors to bankroll them, Labour is proud to be funded through small donations.” But he added: “We of course welcome larger donations from those who can most afford it.”
Labour raised nearly £56million last year, including membership fees, beating the Conservatives by nearly £10million.
NOTHING sums up the callous and opportunistic nature of the current manifestation of the Labour Party more than the sight of Jeremy Corbyn slipping into a jolly with a bunch of rich donors to wine and dine while Britain faces its biggest political crisis since the Second World War.
While Mr Corbyn merrily rubs shoulders with wealthy City donors – despite his own socialist dogma – Theresa May is working hard to deliver Brexit and do her duty by Britain. But the whole issue of Brexit has exposed the current Labour leadership for what they are. Mr Corbyn and his team dreamt up six tests to ensure that it was impossible for them to support any deal even if it was good for Britain.
Why have they done this? Because all they are interested in is wielding power. They appear to have no interest in doing the hard work needed to govern Britain and finding the best solutions for this country. So while Corbyn quaffs wine with rich donors and appears to plot to stop Brexit, we should all remember that it is Mrs May that has dedicated herself to doing her duty for Britain.