Reviewed by Mark Langabeer (Hastings and Rye Labour Party member)
In this programme (see here) Panorama’s investigative reporter, Richard Bilton, revealed that the Pandora Files show how the super-rich are purchasing Britain’s political system. Leaked documents, that contain around 12 million words and are being investigated by 600 journalists, reveal some of the activities of the world’s richest people.
Bilton investigated three individuals who have donated large sums of money to the Tories. They have all gained their wealth from involvement in companies that have a track record of corruption.
Lived the high life
First up was Mohamed Amersi, who donated £500,000 to the Tories and a further £10,000 to Johnson’s leadership campaign. Amersi was employed as a consultant with a Swedish company that was fined for bribery. He received $65 million and lived the high life on an expense account that required no receipts.
The second individual to be investigated was a former Russian state banker who was involved in a corruption scandal. Chernukhin and his wife donated over £2 million too Tory coffers. Last, but not least, is the boss of a company that is seeking approval for an underwater communications cable between Britain and France. The company (Aquind), whose boss was also was mired in corruption in a previous venture, donated £700,000 to the Tories.
Crony capitalism
Bilton interviewed the political journalist, Peter Oborne, who stated that this was ‘crony capitalism’ and thought that the purchasing of our political system by the super-rich was currently the biggest threat to our democracy. Oborne’s past outlook could hardly be described as left-wing!
Although this programme proved useful in highlighting the links between the super-rich and the Tory Party, there’s nothing new in this. The Tories have always been the party of big business and exists to serve their interests.
I have come across many honest workers within organised workplaces who argue that politics has nothing to do with us. This is false because the bosses will always use the political system to strengthen their hand against working people. Working people must get active within Labour to ensure that their interests take priority over the profits of big business.
