So Peter Hain spent over £100,000 to finish fifth out of six for Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. Presumably much went on mailings to electors. I've seen no figures of money spent in the LibDem leadership election, but the beaten candidate, Chris Huhne, must have spent far more than the victor, judging by the number of his glossy leaflets posted to me. In the US vast sums are being raised and spent, but I see that no-hoper Hucklebee has raised very little but still managed to win states in the Bible Belt. The moral seems to be that money doesn't necessarily win votes.
The more important issue, however, is this. Why do rich people give so much money to politicians or political parties? No doubt some do for the same reasons as they give to charities - genuine compassion/belief or publicity - but others, particularly those who try to conceal their identity, because they seek influence. Am I too cynical in suggesting that they are acting - successfully it seems - to preserve their tax privileges?
Posted by Richard Hall at February 8, 2008 08:45 PM