Tom DelargyFeb 26, 2023
Sophy #Ridge has an interview with Bernie Sanders. And she's putting his criticisms of Labour to David Lammy. Unlike virtually every 'journalist' she refuses to let Keir Starmer's clones write most Labour voters out of the picture. She did let him get away with murder though, in terms of the #WestminsterAccounts scandal. Wot's up with that, Soph?
Cat NeilanJan 16, 2023

Exclusive: Firm that offers services for aspiring politicians helped launch three APPGs chaired by new Tory MPs

Part of the #WestminsterAccounts
series

https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2023/01/16/firm-that-helps-prospective-mps-on-their-journey-to-westminster-also-funds-multiple-appgs/

Firm that supports aspiring politicians helped launch three APPGs chaired by new Tory MPs - Tortoise

College Green offers to help would-be MPs on their "journey" to Westminster – including setting up parliamentary groups

Tortoise
Tom DelargyJan 15, 2023
Someone said on Sky News this morning - I think it was Liz Bates - that while many MPs asked about #SamCoates's #WestminsterAccounts items was a good thing, once the cameras got switched off they told Sky News what they really think: they're angry. This is excellent. Keir Starmer is as angry as Rishi Sunak is: both of them are funded by strike breaking rich businessmen. Both want to crush trade unionists. Neither is worthy of my vote. #EnoughIsEnough #SocialistSunday #Ridge
Laura PhillipsJan 12, 2023

💰 “NEW: Boris Johnson has just declared a HUGE £1 million donation from crypto investor Christopher Harborne to his personal company.

Harborne previously donated £13.7m to Reform UK.

Johnson also declared £20k from the Bamfords for use of their home for 2 months. In the #WestminsterAccounts database, the MP with the most donations was Keir Starmer at £740k.

Boris Johnson just beat that in a SINGLE donation. “ From Tom Larkin, Sky News.

World Newsdesk Jan 12, 2023

Sky #News and Tortoise have created a first-of-its-kind database that follows the money in politics.

Tonight the #GreatDebate returns with @TrevorPTweets to discuss who is funding your MP

🕢 Tonight 9 PM
#WestminsterAccounts
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 & YouTube https://trib.al/JENbPgK #worldnews

COP28: Activists criticise move to appoint UAE oil chief chair of climate talks, saying it 'goes beyond putting fox in charge of henhouse'

Sky
S FraserJan 12, 2023
@Peternimmo You know, the #WestminsterAccounts tool from Sky News has really shone a light in the murkier recesses. I'd missed this story, thanks for sharing.
aegilopsJan 12, 2023

@rmdes I had the same thought a while back, but didn't do anything other than muse on it. Thanks for sharing!

The phrase "who pays the piper plays the tune" came to mind, could be a tagline?

This project looks at the funding of UK politicians:

https://www.tortoisemedia.com/audio/the-westminster-accounts/

Some global analysis for news orgs like that could complement what an extension can do.

#FollowTheMoney #WestminsterAccounts #TortoiseMedia

The Westminster Accounts - Tortoise

Over £183 million of outside funds has flowed into this parliament alone, with no way of fully understanding who’s getting what, from whom, and why. Until now. This is the story of the money flowing into our politics, hidden in plain sight

Tortoise
Tom DelargyJan 12, 2023
I've spent a lot of time praising #SamCoates. His #WestminsterAccounts broadcasts are incredible and deserving of awards. However, don't I disagree with anything he says? Of course I do. I've not spent any time drawing attention to any differences since he's not got a Mastodon account to allow him to tell me if he accepts my criticisms or why he disagrees. These differences are too narrow to focus on at this stage. They are details. At a later date I may challenge something he says. Maybe.
Spotlight on CorruptionJan 11, 2023
The steady drip of #WestminsterAccounts stories is fascinating and shocking in equal measure but the big picture is that while transparency is good real reform is urgently required. Our latest blog proposes 3 essential areas where we need change now:
1⃣Genuine electoral finance reform. Removing big money from politics from whatever source is central to defending UK democracy and all parties should be looking to develop a consensus on how to do this.
https://www.spotlightcorruption.org/transparency-is-not-enough/
#WestminsterAccounts: Transparency is not enough. We need real reform - Spotlight on Corruption

So here we go again. The Westminster Accounts is the latest scandal showing how vulnerable UK politics is to those seeking undue influence with their cheque

Spotlight on Corruption
Naomi_FowlerJan 11, 2023
It's got to stop. "Britain’s MPs have declared almost £5 million in earnings over this parliament without disclosing their end clients, the #WestminsterAccounts reveal"
I've always said not publicly funding politics is far more costly
https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2023/01/10/sensemaker-230110/ from @[email protected]
Sensemaker: Who Pays the Piper? - Tortoise

What just happened

Tortoise