June 19, 2008
Labour tries to scrape together some new funding
A tennis match with Tony Blair, the former prime minister, is among the auction lots to be sold at a Labour fund-raising dinner next month.The event, which is hoping to raise £500,000 from table places alone - with 500 tickets at £1,000 apiece - as well as more money through the auction.
Among the prizes are lunch with Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United, and a day out at a racing circuit with Lord Paul Drayson, the pharmaceuticals millionaire.
The event comes as Labour struggles to reschedule some of its £18m of outstanding debts, prompting fears over its financial stability.
The auctioneers will be Alastair Campbell, Mr Blair’s former press chief, and Richard Caborn, former sports minister.
But what will it do for the party’s reputation if the event is not full?
It was striking that the event has been press-released and publicised. In the old days, there was no need.
A Labour bod has been in touch to say the event has been publicised to enable people - such as City folk - to bid in advance for the prizes. FT readers, that includes you.
