Tag Archives: Ian McNicol

Over the course of this campaign, I’ve talked to many loyal Labour members and supporters, and I’ve been asked one question a number of times: why are you sending me so many emails asking for money?

I know that some of you are annoyed — even offended — by us asking you to donate.

But let me tell you what we’re up against, and why it’s absolutely crucial that we ask for you to chip in to this campaign.

Our opponents raise money from the same people they’re looking out for in government — a few, very wealthy, very out-of-touch people. They sell tickets to £10,000-a-plate black tie balls, and then — surprise surprise — they offer hundreds of millions in tax cuts to those who fill their party war chest.

There’s a stark difference between us and the Tories. We know the vast majority of people in this country don’t have millions of pounds — or even tens of pounds — spare to give away. But what we do have is hundreds of thousands of people like you on our side. We’re the party of the many, not the money, and that gives us the ability to do something unprecedented in our country’s political history.

From all those red donate buttons in all the emails, 55,876 Labour members and supporters — from every single one of the 650 constituencies in Britain — have donated online to our national election campaign fund.

Since January alone, these generous supporters have contributed more than £1.68 million together — from each donating just £20 or so at a time. And over the last few weeks, we’ve achieved something I never dreamed was possible: every day we’re surpassing the amount of money the hedge funds are giving the Tories.

I know that without your generosity we simply could not be in this fight. And for that, I can’t say this enough: thank you.

But this campaign is far from over, and the polls show it’s impossibly close. It’s vital for these last 13 days that we continue to run the best ground campaign we possibly can. The 300-strong team of organisers and tens of thousands of volunteers who are working round the clock need resources to make more calls, knock on more doors, and turn out every last vote for Labour between now and the polls closing at 10pm on 7 May.

Your small, individual contributions quickly add up and have such a huge impact in what we can do out in the field.

So I just wanted to acknowledge this: I know we’re sending you a lot of emails. Thank you for sticking with them, and I hope you can forgive all the requests for money and the donate button at the bottom of every email (this one included). We do it because every penny you give is bringing us closer to victory in 13 days’ time.

Thank you from me, and everyone here at the Labour Party. I feel grateful every single day to be a part of this campaign with you.

Iain