New research of the Electoral Commission spending figures show the Conservatives paid over 50p more per vote than Labour, with Theresa May’s embattled party outspending Jeremy Corbyn on all fronts.
Each vote cost the Tories £1.36p compared to just 80p for Labour, with the Lib Dems having to shell out a whopping £2.86p.
The Conservatives put considerably more cash behind Facebook, Google and direct mail, but Labour’s spend was much more effective.
As the graph below demonstrates Labour spent 72 per cent less on Facebook advertising despite gaining far more traction from the social media platform, highlighting that “no amount of spending will make something go viral”.
Election expenses, continued. The Conservatives spent so much more on Facebook, Google and even the Royal Mail. Labour’s smaller spend was much more effective. With social media, no amount of spending will make something go viral; the message is the crucial thing. pic.twitter.com/LUrKafrgqU
— David Ottewell (@davidottewell) March 19, 2018
Figures revealed yesterday showed the Tories spent £7.5 million more than Labour in the general election in 2017 – and still lost their majority.
Theresa May’s party spent £18.6million – 69 per cent more than Jeremy Corbyn’s total of £11million – in a splurge that ultimately lost her 13 seats.
Eye-watering Tory expenses included more than £2million on Facebook and more than £4million on Aussie election guru Lynton Crosby’s firm.
The Electoral Commission revealed the figures today as it launched a swathe of investigations into the main political parties.
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