Keir Starmer
Lovebombed by lobbyists: How Labour became the party of Big Business
An openDemocracy investigation reveals the secretive mass lobbying campaign that shaped Starmer's policies
Ethan Shone
Israel
Revealed: The secretive group taking MPs on propaganda trips to Israel
Source said visit organised by ELNET for Labour staffers had ‘clear agenda’ to shape policies of next government
Gaza
The lobbyist connecting Labour’s top team with arms firms and energy bosses
While fighting raged in Gaza in October, top Labour figures met with the CEO of a major supplier of arms to Israel
Labour
A Labour win won’t stop shadowy right-wing think tanks influencing policy
Revealed: Labour frontbenchers forming close links with think tank behind Sunak’s draconian policing and protest laws
Labour
One seat, two candidates accused of buying their chance to become its MP
How a Labour lobbying boss and a Tory nepo-baby ‘paid’ their way onto the ballot in rural Suffolk
Political Influence
Inside the lobbying campaign to force Labour's next U-turn
How the City fought back against plans to close a £600m loophole, plus more Labour lobbyist candidates
Newsletter
Labour, the vampire kangaroo and a very ‘spooky’ dinner engagement
Welcome, dear reader, to the inaugural edition of the new Dark Arts newsletter, in which I will try to keep you up to date with what’s afoot in the murky world of lobbying, influence and money in politics. And what better time to get started? This general election is
KeirStarmer
Labour in ‘cash for access’ scandal over meetings with £150k donor
Labour top brass including Keir Starmer gave Bloomberg ‘exclusive’ look at party's financial plan at private meeting
Newsletter
Jet-setters, partygoers and double-jobbers: Who’s given what to MPs in 2024
A closer look at the hospitality, gifts and donations received by Labour and Conservatives so far this year
Newsletter
Where Labour and the Tories got their money from in 2023
Labour’s cash from private donors now dwarfs donations from unions, while the Tories got their biggest bung ever
Newsletter
Labour's lobbying problem
Prospective MPs with lobbying day jobs are introducing their clients to senior Labour figures – and boasting about it