A wealthy contributor to the Conservative party has stated that Keir Starmer is more open to his proposals than Rishi Sunak.
John Caudwell was the largest contributor to the Conservative party leading up to the 2019 election, donating £500,000 to support Boris Johnson’s campaign.
The founder of Phones4U, which is no longer in business, stated that he could not continue to support the Conservative party in September. He also expressed his willingness to donate to the Labour party after Sunak’s choice to postpone net zero initiatives. Caudwell was “extremely surprised” by the prime minister’s move to delay the prohibition of new petrol and diesel car sales from 2030 to 2035.
According to Caudwell, the Conservative party’s stance on achieving net zero is equivalent to sabotaging themselves. During an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions show on Friday, he suggested that the leader of the Labour party, Starmer, shares the most similarities with him.
“I had a meeting with Keir Starmer and he seems to be more open to my ideas compared to the Tory party,” he mentioned. “Does that mean I will contribute financially? I am unable to give a definite answer. However, I can assure you that any party that prioritizes policies that benefit Britain will receive my donation.”
Caudwell stated that he suggested measures to the Conservative party with the aim of restoring the greatness of Great Britain, boosting the GDP, and increasing wealth for its citizens. However, he was met with a more understanding reaction from the opposing party.
In September, the 70-year-old entrepreneur expressed his shock and horror at Sunak’s reversal on the net zero policy in an interview with the Sunday Times.
He stated that it will not have an impact on him since he will be deceased and laid to rest. However, he expressed deep concern for the future, as he believes the environmental doomsday is approaching at a rapid pace.
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Caudwell’s increasing support for the idea of a Starmer-led government represents a significant change in his stance towards the previous Labour leadership. He has revealed that his donations to the Conservative party in 2019 were primarily motivated by his belief that former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell would have been disastrous for the country.
In a November 2019 article for the Daily Mail, the wealthy individual expressed disapproval of Labour’s proposals to raise taxes for the top 5% of earners and to increase corporation tax. He argued that these measures would hinder ambition, impede business growth, and cause the country’s richest individuals to leave.
Source: theguardian.com
