How much would you pay to go shopping with Theresa May?
A shoe shopping trip with Theresa May or dinner with Michael Gove – just two of the treats on offer at an auction to raise money for the Conservative party in election year.
(Chief Correspondent Alex Thomson reporting from the Conservative ball)
Although the sums reputed to have been lavished on a bronze bust of Margaret Thatcher (£210,000) and a holiday at a 17th century Spanish fortress in Majorca (£220,000) were breathtaking, wealthy contributors to Tory funds were not short of other options to spend their money.
Organisers of the black and white ball at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London hoped to raise £3m from the event on Monday night, attended by David Cameron and other members of his cabinet.
Although black tie is traditionally worn at Conservative balls, Mr Cameron went for a less formal look on this occasion, with lounge suits permitted and champagne replaced by dry white wine.
Guests, from business and the City, were reported to have paid up to £15,000 a table for the privilege of being able to bid for the treats, outlined in a glitzy brochure obtained by Buzzfeed.
Whether there were any takers for the shopping trip with the kitten-heeled home secretary (£500 voucher included) is not known. Nor is it clear if anyone was prepared to bid for a chicken dinner at the home of Mr Gove, the chief whip, and his wife, the journalist Sarah Vine.
Iron Man
They were not the only cabinet ministers available for hire. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan was offering the pleasure of her company on an early morning, 5km run, while hardier souls could have chosen the 10km “Iron Man” challenge with Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith.
Tea with London Mayor Boris Johnson was also on offer, as long as bidders were prepared to listen to his thoughts on Winston Churchill, the subject of a book he has just published.
One of the most striking lots was a visit to the Downtown Abbey set and tea with its creator and Tory peer Julian Fellowes, while those out-bid for the Theresa May experience could comfort themselves with a year’s supply of Kurt Geiger shoes (a new pair every month).
Despite the attractions of a slap-up dinner at Michael Gove’s house, no doubt some guests would have preferred to have Michelin chef Albert Roux cook them a meal in their own home.
Queen of Cakes
Others could have opted for a baking master class with Fiona Cairns, dubbed “Queen of Cakes” after creating the cake enjoyed by guests at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
While Manchester City supporters could have bid for a signed shirt from their team’s match against Chelsea in September, when Frank Lampard scored equaliser against his former team.
A Conservative spokesman said: “All donations will be declared in the right and proper manner to the Electoral Commission.”
