David Lammy highlights UK leaders" reliance on donor-funded wardrobes

David Lammy, the UK foreign secretary, has highlighted the common practice of political donors financing the wardrobes of prime ministers and their spouses. This discussion arose following the late declaration of donations made by Labour donor Waheed Alli for clothing for Victoria Starmer, the wife of Labour leader Keir Starmer. The funds were initially not registered in the MPs' interests but were declared after Starmer sought advice from parliamentary authorities. Lammy defended Starmer's transparency in handling the situation, emphasizing that political leaders often rely on donations to maintain their public image. In an interview, Lammy compared the UK system to that of the United States, where presidents and first ladies receive substantial budgets funded by taxpayers for their appearances. He noted that while the UK does not have a similar system, the expectation for leaders to present themselves well remains. The donations covered expenses for a personal shopper and clothing alterations for Lady Starmer, which were reported by the Sunday Times. The Conservative Party has called for a full investigation into the relationship between the Starmers and Lord Alli, citing concerns over potential cronyism and breaches of parliamentary rules. Lammy acknowledged that while Starmer is not financially struggling, the need for political figures to look their best is a longstanding practice in UK politics. This controversy has sparked discussions about the ethics of political donations and the transparency of MPs in declaring gifts, raising questions about the influence of donors in shaping the public image of political leaders.