Owen Jones caused a bit of a stir last night, when after it was revealed that he had won the Political Book Awards Young Writer of the Year award, he announced he would be giving his £3,000 prize money (donated by Lord Ashcroft) away – half to Lisa Forbes, Labour candidate in Peterborough, and half to the Disabled People Against the Cuts group.
He tweeted:
Chuffed to win Young Writer of the Year Award at #PBAwards. Given the £3,000 prize is from Lord Ashcroft I’ll be donating it to causes (1/3)
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) February 6, 2013
Half to the brilliant @lisaforbes_ campaign against right-wing Tory caricature @sjacksonmp. Lord Ashcroft money well-spent #PBAwards (2/3)
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) February 6, 2013
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The other half to @dis_ppl_protest who are campaigning for disabled people who are being battered by Tory cuts #PBAwards (3/3)
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) February 6, 2013
Thanks to Jones, Tory mega-donor Lord Ashcroft’s money is going to be funding a Labour parliamentary candidate and a group of activists who vehemently oppose the actions of the Conservative politicians in the coalition. When he came up on stage to present another award, Lord Ashcroft attempted to have a pop at Jones in return, and delivered an unconvincing comeback. Watch here (from 1:30):
Transcript of Ashcroft’s remarks about Jones:
To Owen Jones, who very kindly said his prize that I was donating he would give to causes – I would like to have a chat with you Owen, because I’m very happy to pay these to charities of your choice for a number of reasons. One, I’ll get tax relief; two, they can get Gift Aid, which will give them a little bit more; and thirdly, you won’t have to pay any tax on the prize. Therefore, if I could invite you to lunch at my local greasy spoon, the House of Lords, to discuss that, I would be delighted.
PS If Owen turns down Lord Ashcroft’s offer of a date, it’ll only be the second time in 24 hours:
@lukebozier Naa.
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) February 7, 2013
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