The chief executive of Carlisle based Story Homes, Fred Story, 66, donated £100,000 to the Labour Party in September according to the Electoral Commission.

Mr Story, who backed Brexit in the 2016 referendum, has previously had links to the Conservative Party with former Chancellor George Osbourne opening Story House in 2015 and former Prime Minister David Cameron visiting a Lancashire Story Homes development in the same year.

Labour have been attempting to woo big business back to the party after donations from industry dried up through the Jeremy Corbyn years and to lessen the reliance on money from trade unions who have traditionally been the bankrollers of the party.

With a General Election potentially 18 months away, the party is trying to build funds to try and help get Sir Keir Starmer into number 10.

The former Carlisle United owner is not alone in donating big money to the party this year, with River Island boss, Clive Lewis donating £100,000 and the outgoing chief executive of Belron, owners of Autoglass, also donating £100,000.

All of the donations were made in a personal capacity.

Former Labour MP for Carlisle, Eric Martlew believes that large donations to Labour show that the party is back on track.

“Fred was very supportive of me when I was the MP, but the issue was the way which the party went, and it wasn’t the way that Fred went,” said Mr Martlew.

News and Star: Eric Martlew was the Labour MP for Carlisle from 1987 until 2010Eric Martlew was the Labour MP for Carlisle from 1987 until 2010 (Image: Archive)“His donation signals two things – firstly it shows his opinion of the Conservatives who are shambolic at the moment, and he thinks that the Labour Party is the best not only for ordinary people but also for businesses and is now electable again.

“What Fred and his donation is now saying is that a Labour Government is best for Cumbria.”

A spokeswoman for Labour said: “Donors are coming back to Labour because they can see we are a changed party that is serious about getting into government and building a fairer, greener, more dynamic Britain.”

Story Homes was approached but declined to comment on the issue.

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