How Labour will try and fight back
James Forsyth 8:49am
The Labour fundraising scandal has taken another twist this morning with the news that there is a hunt on for the mole in the Scottish Labour party who is supposedly leaking these damaging documents. But the Tories need to be ready for the coming counter-attack from Labour. Andrew Porter reports that Gordon Brown pledged to go after the Tories on fundraising at last night’s meeting of the Parliamentary Labour party.
An obvious starting point for any Labour attack is Lord Ashcroft. Now, clearly there is no equivalence here as Ashcroft’s donations are completely legal. But the Tories would be in a stronger position if they could state unequivocally that Ashcroft is resident in this country for tax purpose. As long as they cannot, they will be forced onto the defensive as Cameron was in his press conference yesterday. Rachel Sylvester eloquently sums up the situation in her column in the Telegraph today: “the moral case is clear. The voters have a right to know whether a man who has a seat in Parliament has fulfilled the agreement he himself made in order to get that seat.
As David Abrahams has discovered, donors to political parties have to be absolutely transparent about their activities. There is no room for grey areas. If Lord Ashcroft is indeed resident in this country, then he should say so openly. I do not know many people who are ashamed to say they live here. There really is no good reason for bashfulness.”
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Mike
December 4th, 2007 9:46am Report this commentUnbelivable. This just about sums up all that is wrong with New Labour. They broke the law. Pure and simple. Someone will be prosecuted and may well spend some time at HM's pleasure. The question is when and who. Instead of attacking to Tories and treating the whole episode as a chapter in their political strategy playbook, why don't they a) Sort out the problem within the Labour party that has led to this issue b) Get on with governing the country and stop acting like an opposition
David
December 4th, 2007 9:57am Report this commentYou mean pledged again, surely? They've been trying to get Ashcroft for ages. The fact that they resorted to proposing a new law to try to get rid of him rather suggests there was nothign for them to find.
Nicholas Millman
December 4th, 2007 10:15am Report this commentInteresting legal question whether a leaked document exposing Scottish Labour criminality could be considered to be "stolen". Wouldn't that come under "whistleblowers" exemptions?
Labour defence has always been attack, to point the finger at someone else. After 10 years in office their words ring hollow.
As for Rachel Sylvester, the voters have a right to know many things about Labour chicanery too, but so far the answers are still not forthcoming. And why should Labour and not Conservatives be under the spotlight? Surely that is obvious - Labour are supposed to be governing this country.
One of the most amusing aspects of Donorgate is the way that New Labour's various media and press pals are so transparent in their attempts to divert attention away from the whole rotten, corrupt mess that Gordon Brown presides over.
Caroline
December 4th, 2007 2:37pm Report this commentFor goodness sake - will someone tell the truth about this man Ashcroft. Cameron is just slithering about when questioned and doesn't sound confident himself. Because Labour is in the dock over funding - it doesn't mean we can't be told about Ashcroft. If everything is completely above board, what is the problem?
CS
December 4th, 2007 2:56pm Report this commentTories do need to clarify this but wouldn't pay much attention to Brown's macho threats. Ever since the election that never was, his minions have been leaking to the media that he's on the point of coming out fighting. Anyone got a spare telescope?
Danielle
December 4th, 2007 8:03pm Report this comment'Gordon Brown pledged to go after the Tories..' Ha ha I bet they're quaking in their boots, NOT! I agree with the posting from Mike Labour should start governing and stop acting like their in opposition, hopefully they'll be there in two years time. As long as the media do not aide and abet Brown in his attempt to get Ashcroft and the Ashcroft situation is above board I dont see what the tories have to worry about but I do hope the they dont provide Brown with an open goal on this matter.
MTK
December 4th, 2007 8:21pm Report this commentNot "try and", "try *to*". Sorry James, I fought it all day but really I would like to continue to expect better from the Speccie.
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