Sir Keir Starmer has announced that the rules surrounding the declaration of donations and gifts will be tightened to ensure greater transparency within his administration.
The move follows widespread criticism directed at Starmer and several cabinet ministers for accepting lavish gifts from corporate sponsors and millionaire donors. These revelations have dealt a blow to the party’s standing in recent polls, putting pressure on the leadership to take decisive action.
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the man responsible for overseeing the Cabinet Office, stepped forward to spearhead the changes.
Often referred to as the “engine room” of Whitehall, McFadden emphasized that the new rules would close what he described as a “Tory loophole” designed to protect previous Conservative ministers from scrutiny.
Under the current guidelines, any hospitality received by ministers is published by their departments. However, this information is released only quarterly and lacks the detail seen in MPs’ declarations, which are made fortnightly and include the estimated value of the gifts.
McFadden argued that this discrepancy allowed ministers to evade the level of transparency expected of their parliamentary colleagues.
Speaking about the proposed reforms, McFadden clarified that the new rules would apply equally to both government ministers and opposition shadow ministers. “We will make clear going forward in the ministerial code that both ministers and shadow ministers should be under the same declaration rules,” he said.
“This was a Tory loophole, brought in so that you would have an event where the Tory minister … was there, the Labour shadow opposite number would also be there, and the Tory minister would not have to declare. That was the Tory rule. We don’t think that’s fair, so we will close that loophole so ministers and shadow ministers are treated the same going forward.”
Pat McFadden
Transparency Group Supports Reforms, Criticism Remains
Transparency International UK has praised the Labour government’s push for more accountability. Speaking on behalf of the anti-corruption campaign group, Rose Whiffen noted, “We welcome this move to end the two-tier system that has meant ministers, those closest to power, are able to provide less information on their hospitality and provide it less frequently than their backbench colleagues.”
Whiffen also urged Starmer to show further commitment by strengthening the role of the independent adviser on ministerial interests, a key reform that has long been demanded by transparency advocates.
However, the reforms come amid growing scrutiny of Starmer himself, after it was revealed that he had accepted over £100,000 in personal gifts. Among these were high-end designer suits and glasses, raising concerns about his adherence to the principles of transparency.
The controversy intensified over the weekend when MP Rosie Duffield announced her resignation from the Labour Party in a public letter to the prime minister. Duffield criticized Starmer for his decision to uphold the Conservatives’ controversial two-child limit on benefit payments, which she argued perpetuated child poverty.
“Someone with far-above-average wealth choosing to keep the Conservatives’ two-child limit to benefit payments, which entrenches children in poverty, while inexplicably accepting expensive personal gifts of designer suits and glasses costing more than most of those people can grasp – this is entirely undeserving of holding the title of Labour prime minister.”
Rosie Duffield
Duffield, whose relationship with the party has been tense due to her stance on transgender issues, further criticized Starmer’s leadership, claiming he had failed to regularly engage with backbench MPs and lacked “basic political instincts.”
“I am so ashamed of what you and your inner circle have done to tarnish and humiliate our once proud party,” said Duffield.
While Duffield plans to continue serving as an Independent MP, Labour colleagues were quick to rally around Starmer, with many taking to social media to voice their support for the Prime Minister.
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