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#1
General Discussion / Re: Reform.
Last post by klondike - Today at 10:53:17 AM
Obviously none of the big three parties ever get donations do they? Maybe I should ask Google.

Oh. It seems that they do...


Annual Totals and Recent Figures
  • The Labour Party, Conservative Party, and Liberal Democrats raise varying amounts each quarter, tracked by the Electoral Commission.
  • In non-election years, overall donations across all UK parties sit around £25 million to £65 million annually, while election years see totals spike much higher (for instance, parties accepted nearly £100 million in 2024). [1, 2, 3, 4]
  • Individual quarterly data shows fluctuations: for example, in Q1 2026, the Conservatives accepted roughly £6 million, Labour took in about £4.1 million, and the Liberal Democrats accepted around £3 million (including public funds). [1]




Sources of Funding by Party
Each party relies on distinct primary funding models:

The Labour Party
  • Trade Unions: A substantial portion of Labour's baseline funding traditionally comes from affiliated trade unions through political funds and affiliation fees.
  • Individuals and Major Donors: Labour increasingly relies on wealthy individual donors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
  • Memberships and Small Donations: Regular subscription fees from party members provide steady baseline income. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The Conservative Party
  • Wealthy Individuals (Megadonors): The Conservatives rely heavily on high-net-worth individuals.
  • Companies and Businesses: Corporate donations from firms, financial backers, and private equity or hedge fund figures form a major pillar of Tory funding.
  • Memberships and Fundraising Events: Local associations and central black-tie fundraising events contribute significantly. [1, 2, 3]

The Liberal Democrats
  • Individual Donors: The Lib Dems raise money primarily from individual supporters and mid-level donors rather than massive corporate or union backers. [1]
  • Memberships and Bequests: Membership dues and legacies (gifts left in wills) make up a vital part of their operational revenue.
  • Public Funds: All three parties also receive limited public funds for parliamentary work (such as Short Money), though these are distinct from campaign donations. [1]



#2
The Chat Room / Re: National Emergency Briefin...
Last post by klondike - Today at 10:45:11 AM
I don't doubt that the climate is changing. I don't doubt that we'll need to make some big changes for our societies to continue to thrive in comfort. The problem is that the changes many of these greens want to make will leave us in a far more trouble than the changing climate even if ignored will cause us.

We are a technological society. We need energy for that to continue. Current renewables can't entirely replace fossil fuels and we will need to continue to exploit them for some time to come. Maybe until the end on the century. Just how long depends on how ingenious we are.

Fusion power has been twenty years away for at least the last fifty and probably still will be in another fifty. We need to improve renewables and storage of energy but our main saviour will be fission based nuclear power and the greens hate that idea. They'd rather we were eating sun dried cockroaches in our caves while dressed in leaves held in place with hand plaited vines.  Obviously only in areas where our nuts don't freeze off in winter. If they win out then that's exactly what we will be doing.
#3
General Discussion / AI. Out of Control?
Last post by Raven - Today at 10:13:29 AM
Saw this in the News this morning, do you think they're right? Or are they just scaremongering. Ok, I know I'm probably being daft but Terminator worried me......A Lot.  :worried:

BBC News - AI staff 'genuinely frightened' for humanity's future, ex-Anthropic researcher tells BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kx0gyje9wo
#4
The Chat Room / Re: National Emergency Briefin...
Last post by Diasi - Today at 09:31:10 AM
It's all a load of rubbish.

Yes, the planet will heat up just as it did millions of years ago, then it will cool down just as it did millions of years ago.

Continents will split, islands will disappear, islands will be created just as they did millions of years ago.

#5
General Discussion / Re: Wordle
Last post by klondike - Today at 09:24:12 AM
Wordle 1,912 4/6

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#6
General Discussion / Re: Reform.
Last post by Diasi - Today at 09:23:28 AM
One has to be careful about what's said these days but I certainly wouldn't touch Ecotricity with a bargepole.

I too thought there'll be a cap on donations pretty soon.
#7
General Discussion / Re: The Fourth Plinth
Last post by Diasi - Today at 09:13:29 AM
Quote from: muddy on September 11, 2026, 07:37:42 AMWhat you you think of Lady in Blue on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square ?
I quite like it especially her blue dress .
I don't like the fact that it is by American artist Tschabalala Self- not a name to be pronounced easily

Surely we should put the work of British artists up there ?

Lady In Blue by New York pays homage to a 'young, metropolitan woman' .
Self said she had set out to put an ordinary contemporary Londoner on the plinth
"My work Lady In Blue will bring to Trafalgar Square a woman that many can relate to," the artist said.
"She is a woman walking forward into our collective future with ambition and purpose. She is a Londoner "

Although might think it would be more suitable for an African country
She's probably right .
We are stuck with it for two years .
But it's 100% better than the last one





She may live in London but a Londoner she certainly ain't!!!!!!!!!
#8
General Discussion / Re: The Fourth Plinth
Last post by GrannyMac - Today at 07:33:05 AM
Quote from: Alex on Yesterday at 06:15:42 PMWe could organise a chara for that !
Book me a seat please 😄
#9
The Chat Room / Re: It’ll come in handy..
Last post by GrannyMac - Today at 07:31:49 AM
Love the poem Scrumpy!  

We've all got bits of ?? saved. 😁😬
#10
General Discussion / Re: Wordle
Last post by GrannyMac - Today at 06:58:25 AM
Wordle 1,912 3/6

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