“HEY BIG SPENDERS, SPEND A LITTLE DOSH ON ME” SANG TONY FROM HIS BATH

The Times has its yearly look at the richest 1000 people in Britain and Ireland. As per usual the 19^th annual survey has a plethora of land owners, banker’s, musicians and media moguls. Oh yes, and the usual list of “no workers” who have inherited their monies. Two areas which drew my attention; Firstly the regional breakdown. The North East has only 16 people out of the 1000 listed who were born, live or have interests in this area. Sadly, we are bottom of the “wealth by region”. Whilst this does cause me concern, I still have great pride in the north’s business acumen and talent. Devastated by the collapse of heavy industry, the region still fails to attract the levels of investment experienced by other parts of the country. We therefore do very well with what we have. The continued regeneration of Newcastle and Sunderland will hopefully attract more commercial, technological and industrial investment, so next year will hopefully see some improvements. The second area is that of political donors. Some of the names may be familiar, especially to Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Yates, head of the “cash for honours” enquiry.

Gordon Crawford - £500,000 - donation on loan basis

Sir Chris Evans - £1,000,000 – arrested in the enquiry

Sir David Garrard - £2,300,000 – donations linked to dubious planning decisions granted in his favour.

Richard Caring – £2,000,000 – built his empire in the far east rag trade, paying monthly wages that in the UK wouldn’t even buy a Burger King special.

And what about those rich list members who have also parted company with large amounts of money over the years? Who can forget Bernie Ecclestone, the boss of Formula One motor racing? Rumour has it he talked to Tony over the phone whilst both were in the bath (separately I may add), with the Irishman finally handing over £1m to New Labour in January 1997, four months before Blair was elected. The government then decided after the election to make Formula One exempt from the ban on tobacco advertising. You scrubbed up fairly well there didn’t you Bernie? Or Lakshmi Mittal, the steel magnate worth £900 million who donated £125,000 to New Labour? He received a letter of support from Blair to the Romanian prime minister backing his bid for a Romanian steel plant. Keith Vaz, the Hindujas, Lord Irvine, David Blunkett, five-homes Meacher, Cheriegate? The list of scandal goes on and on. I haven’t even looked at the Conservative list, their not in government; though I’m sure it will also have an element of duplicity. Labour’s problem is that they have been so blatant and arrogant with their policy of wining, dining and rewarding the rich and famous.