South Essex MPs declare thousands of pounds in donations

As part of the Commons Register of Members’ Financial Interests, shared this week, MPs were required to log all their current financial interests, and any “registrable benefits” received in the 12 months prior to their election.

Labour has recently been accused of being “under the thumb” of its trade union partners after more than half of its elected MPs took donations.

Rochford and Southend East MP - Bayo Alaba (Image: Gaz de Vere)

Most of the Labour MPs who have taken cash from unions since the election was called are part of the party’s new intake.

Bayo Alaba, Labour MP for Southend East and Rochford, received more than £23,000 from union bosses to aid his election fight.

The former Home Secretary and Essex MP, James Cleverly, labelled this as Labour MPs being “under the thumb of its union paymasters”.

Southend West and Leigh MP - David Burton-Sampson (Image: David Burton-Sampson)

Mr Alaba’s donations included more than £6,000 from Unison, £5,000 from the GMB union and £2,000 from the Communication Workers’ Union.

Mr Alaba defended the donations and stressed: “I am a trade union member and believe the historic link between Labour and the trade unions is an important one.

“I was proud to be supported by trade unions in my campaign to be elected.

“As a former entrepreneur, I believe that things work best when businesses and the unions operate in partnership, rather than in conflict.”

Basildon and Billericay - Richard Holden (Image: Richard Holden)

David Burton-Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, received £5,000 from Unite the Union in donations.

When contacted for comment about this, a Labour spokesman responded and said: “All donations are declared in accordance with Parliamentary and Electoral Commission rules.”

Tory MP Mark Francois, who represents Rayleigh and Wickford, was revealed to have received £22,500 for his campaign from businesses and private donors.

This includes £3,500 from Rayleigh-based Railscape Limited and £5,000 from Flowidea Limited.

He also received just under £3,000 for writing a book, and £3,000 for a trip to the US for meetings with Republican members of Congress concerning support for Ukraine.

Rayleigh and Wickford MP - Mark Francois (Image: UK Parliament)

Mr Francois said: “The book royalties relate to my book, Spartan Victory. The campaign donations were towards the General Election and have been declared in the usual way.

“The trip to Washington was to lobby Republican Congressmen to support the aid package to Ukraine, to resist Putin’s barbaric invasion, which, I am glad to say, many of them subsequently did.”

Richard Holden, new Tory MP for Basildon and Billericay, declared a number of hospitality tickets including to Glastonbury, a Premier League match, the Mercury Prize awards, and a cricket match.

He also declared a £69,000 salary for his role as chairman of the Conservatives but this was during a period when he did not receive a cabinet ministerial salary.

This ceased when he stopped being the chairman of the Conservative Party in July.

A spokesman for Richard Holden said: “All declarations are made fully, transparently and in accordance with the rules.”

Both Rebecca Harris, Tory MP for Castle Point, and James McMurdock, Reform MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, did not have any significant donations, nor any standout declarations of interest.

They were contacted for comment.