EM Foster’s Animal Farm quotes about democracy ” All people are equal but some are more equal than others.

A Labour donor has bought  more than £5, 000 worth of  designer clothes for Sir Keir Starmer’s wife Victoria, over the past four months in an arrangement that breaches parliamentary rules.  Prime Minister Starmer faces an investigation after failing to disclose that Lord Alli, a Labour peer worth more than £200 million covered the cost of a personal shopper and clothes for Lady Starmer. Alli, former chairman of the online fashion retailer Asos, has also given the Labour leader £18, 685 worth of work clothes and several pairs of glasses.He spent £20, 000 on accommodation for Starmer and a similar sum  on “private office” costs.  Although these donations were declared, Starmer failed to disclose  those that were made to his wife until last Tuesday, when staff realised it could be viewed as a potential conflict. Under parliamentary rules MPs are required to update their register within a month. Breaches of rules can lead to an investigation by the standards commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, with sanctions ranging from a public or written apology to expulsion from the Commons. As Prime Minister Starmer is entitled to two salaries totaling £166, 786, while his wife an NHS occupational health worker, is likely to earn about £50, 000. Starmer lives rent-free in No 10, has a town house in Kentish Town and does not send his children to private schools.

Alli has been embroiled in a “cash for access” row after he had a No 10  security pass that he used to entertain donors in the Downing Street garden.  David Lammy, the foreign secretary said yesterday that Starmer and his wife had accepted the donation so they could “look their best for the British people. The truth is that successive prime ministers  – unless you’re a billionaire like the last one – do rely on political donations so they can look their best both in the hope of representing the country if you are in the opposition or indeed as prime minister”. Lady Starmer has won  praise from fashion commentators  for her attire, including a £275 red Me-Em dress she wore on entering No 10. His other clothing includes a £725 heart lattice ankle gown by Needle & Thread, a £425 Kooples dress and a £369 Sandro dress.

A Conservative source said: “ It is absurd of David Lummy to suggest that the prime minister on £ 166k  a year cannot afford to buy himself or his wife clothes  – This at the same time as the Labour Party is robbing pensioners to pay off their political paymasters.” While in opposition Starmer criticized Boris Johnson for relying on donors.