Return Blair’s £106k gift, candidates told
DOZENS of Labour can- didates were last night under pressure to hand back ‘ blood money’ donated by Tony Blair.
The ex- prime minister confirmed he has donated £1,000 to each of the 106 Labour candidates fighting the party’s target seats.
Labour has welcomed the donation, despite unease in the party about Mr Blair’s money- spinning links to foreign corporations and dictatorships.
Former Labour adviser Dan Hodges said the money was not enough to be worth the potential controversy. ‘Who is meant to benefit from this?’ he said. ‘£1,000 isn’t going to go that far.
‘Each of those candidates is about to spend between now and polling day being chased by people who will shout, “Did you take Blair’s blood money?”.’
Defence minister Anna Soubry sent a message to her Labour opponent in Broxtowe, Nottinghamshire, saying: ‘Blair money, yes or no?’ Her opponent, ex-Labour MP Nick Palmer, a recipient of the cash, did not give an answer.
SNP deputy leader Stew- art Hosie said: ‘ The fact that Labour candidates are happy to accept donations from the man who led us into the illegal war in Iraq, i ntroduced tuition f ees and started the process of NHS privatisation is extraordinary.’
Rhodri Glyn Thomas, Plaid Cymru member of the Welsh Assembly for Carmarthen East, challenged Welsh candidates to hand back the money.
Mr Blair said he was giving the cash to candidates in marginal seats because ‘this is where the election will be won for Labour’.