Tories raked in more than £15m in donations during the summer – thanks to a record £10m bequest from a Sainsbury’s heir – as rumours grow of a Spring general election

The Tories raked in more than £15million in donations this summer – including a record £10million bequest from a Sainsbury’s heir, new figures have revealed.

According to the Electoral Commission watchdog, the Conservatives reported a total of £15,810,269 in funding between July and September.

Almost two-thirds of the sum came from the £10million left to the party by Lord John Sainsbury following his death at the age of 94.

The Tory peer was a major shareholder in his family’s supermarket chain, which he led as chairman for 23 years.

The Electoral Commission figures showed, over the same period, Labour reported £5,619,380 in funding, with the Liberal Democrats reporting £2,373,364.

The influx of cash into Tory coffers comes as rumours grow at Westminster that Rishi Sunak could call a general election as early as the Spring.

The influx of cash into Tory coffers comes as rumours grow at Westminster that Rishi Sunak could call a general election as early as the Spring

Tory peer Lord John Sainsbury was a major shareholder in his family’s supermarket chain, which he led as chairman for 23 years

Electoral Commission figures showed, between July and September, the Tories reported £15,382,623 in donations and accepted £375,971 in public funds 

Many had been expecting the Prime Minister to wait until Autumn of next year to go to the polls.

But Mr Sunak has this week seen his latest efforts to revive the Rwanda migrant scheme dramatically explode with the resignation of his immigration minister Robert Jenrick.

It has fuelled talk the PM could face a challenge to his leadership, through a confidence vote, as he battles a fresh bout of Conservative civil war.

One veteran Tory MP told MailOnline the chances of an election on May 2, or even before, were rising dramatically.

They said Mr Sunak should go to the country before the weather improves in the Spring, potentially sparking a rise in Channel migrant crossings.

But the former minister insisted the likelihood of a Tory confidence vote could drive him towards an even earlier poll.

‘Look at Theresa May. When the confidence vote comes, even if you win it you don’t last six months,’ they said.

‘He will win it but I don’t see him going more than a month before calling an election. It will be back me or sack me.’

The MP added: ‘I can’t stand the PM after what he did to Liz… But I can’t see a scenario where he doesn’t lead us into the next election.

‘Changing leader, there are a lot of people like myself who think it would be ridiculous to go down that road. The public would not wear it.’

The Electoral Commission figures showed, between July and September, the Tories reported £15,382,623 in donations and accepted £375,971 in public funds.

The party’s second largest donation was £2million from businessman Graham Edwards, the co-founder of property firm Telereal Trillium.

Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour reported £3,078,509 in donations and accepted £2,464,242 in public funds during the third quarter of 2023

Over the same period, Labour reported £3,078,509 in donations and accepted £2,464,242 in public funds, of which they are entitled to a large share as the official Opposition.

Labour’s single biggest donor between July and September was Gary Lubner, the former Autoglass boss, who gave almost £700,000 to Sir Keir Starmer’s party.

The South African-born businessman has now given £3.4 million to Labour this year.

The party hailed how they had now raised more than £10million in donations this year, with the latest figures following Labour’s record fundraising quarter between April and June. 

Labour party chair Anneliese Dodds said: ‘Thanks to Keir Starmer’s leadership, the Labour Party is seeing significant financial growth throughout 2023.

‘The Conservatives have raised the election spending limit from £19m to £34m, so we will continue to fundraise throughout 2024 to meet it.

‘Donors are supporting Labour because they can see we are serious about delivering for working people with five missions to transform Britain.

‘The Labour Party is a changed party that will end Tory decline and get Britain’s future back.’

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