Lord Sainsbury returns to Labor with £2m donation after cutting ties during Corbyn era

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Sir Keir Starmer has received a £2million boost from a major New Labor-era donor as dozens of leaders leading business leaders are asking how to 'join' the party ahead of the next election.

Labour has confirmed that Lord David Sainsbury, the former supermarket chairman who withdrew financial support from the Jeremy Corbyn's era, made his first multi-million pound donation since 2016.

< p>Lord Sainsbury said in a statement he was donating again to Labor because "I want to see Keir Starmer to become Prime Minister as soon as possible."

He added, "I believe Keir Starmer has the leadership skills and ability to deal with the economic challenges we are currently facing."

It comes as a former Tory donor who defected to the opposition told The Independent that "dozens" of senior figures - including some former Tory donors - had approached him to ask how they could help put Sir Keir in No 10.

Gareth Quarry says Sir Keir and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves have led a "miraculous" turnaround in the party's reputation in boardrooms across the country. It is nothing less than miraculous. Jeremy Corbyn kept us all out as we were petrified of what he would do."

"Keir, Rachel, [phantom health secretary] Wes Streeting and other members of team are sensible people who put the country first,” said the 63-year-old entrepreneur. “Business people need certainty. The work offers stability in contrast to the constant restlessness of conservatives.

The former city attorney, who chairs legal staffing giant SSQ, added, "I've been approached by others in business about this. A lot of people say "You did this for a reason - how can we get on board?" I'm not looking for them. They are looking for me."

Mr Quarry said he had spoken to big business owners as well as figures in finance, consulting and the legal industry about a donation "There are also a lot of people running small and medium-sized businesses - it's the whole gamut. They are all desperate for the Conservative government.

He said the £100,000 he and his wife gave to Labor was just the start of the connection to the party. "My wife and I totally believe in the Labor project now, and...