Simon Franks, a former Labour donor and film entrepreneur, is the only public name behind the new centrist political movementSenior Labour figures took aim yesterday at a new centrist political movement set up by a former donor. The party, with access to up to £50 million, has been under development in secret for more than a year by a network of entrepreneurs, philanthropists and donors keen to “break the Westminster mould”. The former donor and film entrepreneur Simon Franks, who headed a review for Ed Balls, is the only public name behind the venture and, the Observer reported, is said to have had full-time staff for as long as a year. He has set up a company, Project One Movement for the UK, the probable vehicle for the enterprise. Lord Hattersley, the former Labour deputy leader, said “third parties all end in fiascos”, telling…

Source: The Times April 08, 2018 23:03 UTC