The last few weeks have not been good for Labour. In fact that's probably an understatement. Gordon Brown has had to face crisis after crisis, and the media - who once hailed him for his crisis management abilities - have turned on him. Such is the fickle nature of the press.

The donations scandal that currently dominates the headlines has certainly damaged public confidence in the government. People are rightly outraged. Labour MPs are outraged. As your Labour candidate I too, in the words of Jack Straw, am "irritated to distraction" by what has happened.

David Cameron and the Tories have been having the time of their lives attacking Labour over donations, and they've managed to score some serious political points. However, the Tories have a few shady practises of their own when it comes to raising funds. I refer in particular to the practises of one man: Lord Ashcroft. The term "Ashcroft Money" has entered political parlance in recent years, and refers to the self-imposed tax exiled peer's practise of pouring thousands of pounds into marginal seats. Before a budding Tory candidate receives a penny, however, they must be interviewed and vetted by Ashcroft to ensure their political views are "sound". In effect, Ashcroft is buying seats (and influence): after all, after an election a successful Tory candidate funded by Ashcroft will owe him. Big time.

There is no doubt about Ashcroft's influence within the Tory Party. In a recent newspaper article he was reported to have more staff in Conservative Central Office than David Cameron. It is also unclear whether Ashcroft pays a penny of tax in the UK, despite promising to do so before being granted a peerage in 2000. In 2004 his official residence was listed in the tax haven of Belize. I believe quite simply that anyone who sits in either chamber of Parliament should pay income tax in this country. Why should a man who doesn't contribute a penny towards our public services be given influence in Parliament? I find it totally outrageous, as I'm sure does everyone who works hard and pays their taxes.

For me, this is the real scandal of party funding in Britain: a tax exile using his money to effectively buy seats in the House of Commons. It's time for Labour to stop taking the Tory attacks and to go on the offensive on this. Come on Gordon - it's time to fight back!

Labels: party funding, Tories