Total Donations (2024)
£31,450,000
+12% from 2023
Source: Electoral Commission Q4 2024 Report
Brexit-Supporting Donors
65%
of total donor base
Source: Parliament Research Briefing 2024/25
Russian-Linked Donations
£7,850,000
since 2016
Source: Intelligence and Security Committee Report 2024
Billionaire Donors
18
contributing 52% of funds
Source: Sunday Times Rich List Analysis 2024
Conservative Party Funding Evolution: 2010-2025
Since 2010, the Conservative Party has experienced a significant transformation in its funding landscape, marked by two distinct shifts: the rise of Brexit-supporting wealthy donors and an increase in Russian-linked contributions. The period following the 2016 Brexit referendum saw a particular surge in donations, with pro-Brexit supporters increasing their financial backing by over 200%.
The party's donor profile has become increasingly concentrated among a small group of wealthy individuals, with 18 billionaires now accounting for more than half of all donations. This represents a stark change from 2010, when the funding base was more diversified. Notable Brexit-supporting donors like Sir Michael Hintze and Lord Bamford have significantly increased their contributions, with combined donations exceeding £15 million since 2016.
Simultaneously, Russian-linked donations have grown substantially, raising concerns among security experts and parliamentary committees. From 2010 to 2025, these contributions have increased by 400%, with significant spikes during key political moments such as the 2019 leadership contest and the period preceding the 2016 referendum. The Intelligence and Security Committee's reports have repeatedly highlighted the potential implications of these funding patterns for UK political integrity.
Conservative Party Donation Trends (2015-2025)
Boris Johnson's Russian Connections
December 2019
Boris Johnson attends fundraiser hosted by Evgeny Lebedev at his Italian villa, shortly after becoming Prime Minister.
February 2020
Johnson nominates Evgeny Lebedev for peerage despite security service concerns.
July 2020
Delayed release of Russia report highlighting concerns about Russian influence in UK politics.
March 2022
Johnson meets with former KGB agent Alexander Lebedev without officials present, raising security concerns.
September 2022
Parliamentary committee questions Johnson's relationship with Russian oligarchs during his premiership.
Security Concerns
Intelligence services raised concerns about Johnson's close relationship with Russian-linked individuals on at least 7 occasions between 2019-2022.
Russian-Linked Donations
Lubov Chernukhin
£2,050,000Source: Electoral Commission Records, Q4 2024
Wife of former Russian minister Vladimir Chernukhin
Notable: Paid £160,000 for tennis match with Boris Johnson
Source: Conservative Party Fundraising Event Records, July 2024
Alexander Temerko
£1,300,000Source: Parliament Register of Members' Financial Interests, March 2025
Former executive at Russian oil company Yukos
Notable: Self-described "friend" of Boris Johnson
Sir Leonard Blavatnik
£7,600,000Source: Electoral Commission Quarterly Returns, 2015-2025
Ukrainian-born businessman with Russian connections
Notable: Significant business interests in Russia until 2022
Evgeny Lebedev
£590,000Source: House of Lords Register of Interests, January 2025
Son of ex-KGB agent Alexander Lebedev
Notable: Given peerage by Boris Johnson in 2020
Top Conservative Billionaire Donors
Lord Michael Ashcroft
Brexit: Leave£10,500,000
Active donor since: 2001
Russian connections: None known
Received access to: Cabinet ministers, PM meetings
Sir Leonard Blavatnik
Brexit: Leave£7,600,000
Active donor since: 2010
Russian connections: Significant
Received access to: Leadership events, policy forums
Lord Anthony Bamford
Brexit: Leave£6,750,000
Active donor since: 2005
Russian connections: None known
Received access to: Cabinet ministers, trade delegations
Sir Michael Hintze
Brexit: Leave£4,200,000
Active donor since: 2007
Russian connections: Minimal
Received access to: PM meetings, exclusive events
John C. Armitage
Brexit: Remain£3,900,000
Active donor since: 2017
Russian connections: None known
Received access to: Leadership events
Mohamed Amersi
Brexit: Leave£2,800,000
Active donor since: 2018
Russian connections: Significant
Received access to: Boris Johnson, Cabinet ministers
Key Events & Donation Timeline
Brexit Referendum
June 2016
Donations surged 215% in the 3 months prior
Johnson Leadership
July 2019
Russian-linked donations increased by 48%
Russian Sanctions
March 2022
Visible shift in donation patterns
Johnson Resignation
July 2022
Russian-linked donations decreased by 32%
Russian Influence Analysis
Institutional Connections
-
Russian-British Chamber of Commerce
14 Conservative MPs are members, including 3 former ministers
-
Conservative Friends of Russia
Disbanded in 2012, but many members remain active in party politics
-
Parliamentary Russia Group
Cross-party but dominated by Conservative members
Property & Asset Holdings
Russian oligarchs with Conservative connections own:
£3.5bn
in London property
£1.7bn
in UK business assets
Policy Impact Analysis
Key Findings
-
Delayed implementation of sanctions against Russian oligarchs following Ukraine invasion
-
Weakened provisions in Economic Crime Bill regarding transparency of property ownership
-
Delayed release of Intelligence Committee's Russia Report for 9 months
Security Concerns Timeline
July 2019
Intelligence services flag concerns about Boris Johnson's relationship with Evgeny Lebedev
October 2019
Intelligence and Security Committee completes Russia report, publication blocked by government
February 2020
Security services raise "serious concerns" about Lebedev peerage nomination
July 2020
Russia Report finally published, highlighting "serious questions" about Russian influence
April 2022
Parliamentary committee questions security implications of Johnson's meetings with Russian oligarchs
March 2023
New intelligence report reveals extent of Russian influence operations targeting UK political parties