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UK political parties relying on the rich

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A London-based economic export believes that British political parties are increasing relying on large sources of funds from a few individuals as they lose popular support.

“The political parties in the United Kingdom are having a decrease in the membership at the moment, increasingly having to rely on large sources of funds from relatively few individuals,” Robert Qulds, director of the Burges Group told Press TV on Tuesday.

His comments came against the backdrop of a new report suggesting that 41 percent of donations provided to British political parties over the past five years were made by just 76 people.

The first Sunday Times Political Rich List shows that 25 individuals had donated more than £1mn each to political parties between 2010 and 2014.

This accounted for 28% of £174.4mn given out in private and corporate cash.

The Scottish EuroMillions lottery winners Colin and Chris Weir topped the list, donating £6.5mn to the SNP and the Yes Scotland campaign.

City financier Lord Farmer and JCB chairman Lord Bamford are also among the big names donating millions of pounds to the Tories.

Meanwhile, Lord Sainsbury of Turville, former chaainsbuir of Sry and science minister under the last Labour government, reportedly donated over £3.5mn to various political causes.

Property developer David Rowland, Stagecoach Group founder Sir Brian Souter and banker James Lupton are also among the big donors.

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