belfasttelegraph

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Sinn Fein outspends rival parties

Sinn Fein spent nearly three times more than its closest competitor in Northern Ireland, according to the Electoral Commission

Sinn Fein raised and spent almost three times that of its closest competitors in Northern Ireland last year, the Electoral Commission said.

The republican party used £1.2 million on fighting the Westminster elections and supporting representatives at Assembly and council level. It still made a small profit and its financial success was largely due to contributions from its elected members.

The Democratic Unionist Party raised £268,456, with the SDLP at £346,946. Both parties had a deficit. The Ulster Unionist Party raised £440,949 and spent less.

Parties are having to raise money amid a tough financial climate. Despite this, Sinn Fein's income rose in 2010. Its greatest expense was elections. The party received just over £1.2 million and spent slightly less. It is almost £77,000 in the black.

Sinn Fein received grants worth £167,587 for its Assembly members and £95,052 in allowances for Westminster representatives. The party has come under pressure from some MPs for claiming parliamentary expenses but not sitting at Westminster.

Last year, the DUP spent £335,678, leaving it with an excess expenditure of £67,222.

The nationalist SDLP raised £346,946 and spent £413,238. Question marks have been raised by political rivals in recent days about the future of party leader Margaret Ritchie. The SDLP has a deficit of £66,292.

Its donations fell to £36,922 in 2010 from £83,672 the year before.

The Ulster Unionist Party raised £440,949 and spent £398,295.

The Alliance Party finished the year with a £11,082 surplus, explained by a one-off transfer of Lagan Properties' shares into the party's ownership and £7,000 earned from a 40th anniversary dinner at the Stormont Hotel.

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