Sky News and Tortoise Media have launched the Westminster Accounts, a searchable database that makes it easy for the public to examine the millions of pounds being poured into British politics.
The interactive database allows users to search for information about the earnings and donations declared by any MP, political party, an all-party parliamentary group, or donor since the last election.
John Ryley, head of Sky News, said: ‘This pioneering project from Sky News and Tortoise will give the public a better understanding of how politics is funded in this country. The Westminster Accounts tool is available to everyone and is a big step in making the workings of parliament more transparent and understandable for the public at large.’
James Harding, founder and editor of Tortoise Media, added: ‘Until now, it’s been impossible to make sense of the relationship between money and politics. Parliament might be transparent in theory, but, by default or design, the jumble of declarations, registers and accounts has made it very hard to understand who gives, who gets, how much and for what. The Westminster Accounts makes all that information accessible for all of us.’
The deputy political editor at Sky News, Sam Coates, said online: ‘This project is not without risk. We have created league tables of donors and earners, something the political system disliked. We will be told we have ignored context - some earnings are donated to charity, some MPs will earn more than others for less work, and MPs in marginal seats will have to raise more funds for campaigning than those in safe seats.
‘But we defend our right to look at the numbers in this way; and encourage the conversation that will follow, however difficult.’
Here are the results from MPs in Portsmouth and Hampshire.
5. Fareham MP Suella Braverman
The Fareham MP has declared around £17,090 worth of payments and gifts. Top sources of £ for MP: £10k donations from First Corporate Consultants £3,000 donations from Darren Ridge £2,000 donations from Ethan R Wilkinson £900 gifts from The Football Association Premier League £800 gifts from Asian Achievers Awards £300 gifts from PG Paper Company Photo: Carl Court
6. Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond
The Conservative MP has declared around £16,300 worth of payments and gifts. Top sources of £ for MP: £5,000 donations from Lord Michael Farmer £5,000 donations from Malcolm Isaac £5,000 donations from Philip White £400 earnings from Ipsos MORI £300 earnings from Savanta ComRes £200 gifts from CAE U.K. Plc £200 gifts from Lockheed Martin UK Photo: Habibur Rahman