The Conservative Party has demanded that the Labour Party return all donations from its prominent backer, Dale Vince, following a major controversy over comments he made about antisemitism in the wake of a terror attack.
Donor's Social Media Post Sparks Fury
On Monday 15 December 2025, energy tycoon and Ecotricity founder Dale Vince provoked a fierce backlash with a post on the social media platform X. Vince, who gave Labour more than £5m last year, appeared to link the horrific attack on Jewish families at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, to Israeli military actions in Gaza.
The attack in Australia resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people. In his post, Vince referenced a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "antisemitism spreads when leaders stay silent." He then added his own view, writing: "Nothing to do with Israel committing Genocide in Palestine then. Netanyahu wants antisemitism to be a thing, it validates him – he acts to make it so."
Senior Figures Condemn 'Morally Repugnant' Remarks
The comments drew immediate and severe condemnation from across the political spectrum. Former Labour MP Lord Walney stated that the party should sever its ties with Vince entirely.
Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch labelled the post "morally repugnant" and directly challenged Labour leader Keir Starmer. "Will Keir Starmer condemn his big financial backer?" Badenoch wrote. "Staying silent implies he sees nothing wrong."
Tory party chairman Kevin Hollinrake issued a separate statement, calling on Labour to refund the donations. "This is disgraceful," Hollinrake said. "Any language that excuses or legitimises terrorism gives extremists cover and undermines our values."
He insisted: "Labour must return all donations received from Mr Vince, refuse future ones, and make clear that terrorism has no moral ambiguity."
Vince Defends His Position and Labour Faces Pressure
In a statement provided to City AM, Dale Vince defended his intentions but stood by his core argument. "My words on this subject were not intended to excuse or legitimise terrorism, or any form of racism – what happened at Bondi beach is an atrocity," he said.
He argued his criticism was aimed at Netanyahu, adding: "If antisemitism is rising in the world today then surely on any rational analysis the biggest single cause of that will be the genocide in Palestine. I condemn all acts of violence and all forms of racism."
The controversy was further inflamed by other commentators who criticised a separate video shared by Vince. They argued that its use of the word "Holocaust" in portraying turkeys being killed for Christmas meals was inappropriate and deflected from the serious issue of violence against Jewish people.
As of now, the Labour Party itself has not issued a public statement on the matter, having been approached for comment. The pressure is now squarely on Keir Starmer to address the actions of one of his party's most significant financial supporters.
