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The phrase ‘there’s no such thing as a free lunch’ has been in use for the best part of a hundred years. It suggests that in this life you don’t get something for nothing.
A cynical view, perhaps. In the Bible the Good Samaritan rescues a stranger, expecting no reward. But in politics it’s generally true to say that gifts and favours come with strings attached.
What did multi-millionaire Waheed Alli expect to gain by giving £500,000 to Labour since 2020? His gifts seem to be targeted. He doesn’t just hand over the money to the party and say, get on with it, spend it as you think fit.
It’s almost as though Lord Alli said: ‘Here’s £16,200 for some clothes, Keir, and a further £2,485 for several pairs of fancy glasses. Your wife, Victoria, looks as though …