MARKUS FINDS HIS LOST VOICE

CRUMBRIA: 27.03.2026

MARTYR Campbell-Savours MP has been grandstanding in parliament this week like an elder statesman, gravely warning that British democracy must be protected from overseas political money.

Only those who “live and pay tax in the UK”, the MP declared, nostrils flared, should be allowed “to influence our democracy!”

Markus, Labour MP for Penrith and Solway, and patron saint of Cumbrian farmers, was taking part in a parliamentary debate about foreign financial influence and interference.

But why might a Cumbrian MP be so worked up about capping donations from overseas electors?

By total and complete coincidence, the party said to lose most from a clampdown on overseas dosh is Reform UK — predicted to have a 54% chance of taking the MP’s seat at the next General Election.

And only a fortnight ago, Markus had nothing to say about the integrity of political money when the questions landed closer to home.

The News & Shrug, Carlisle, had contacted his office asking about Labour Together — the disgraced Labour think tank — which gave £5,000 to the MP’s victorious 2024 election campaign.

Labour Together is under a major ethics investigation, and was fined in 2021 over undeclared donations. It’s also accused of using sinister dirty tricks against journalists daring to ask questions about it.

Yet when the News & Shrug wanted a comment…

Did the MP condemn Labour Together? No ❌
Did he make any public comment? No ❌
Did he express any alarm? No ❌
Will he return the £5,000❓

The MP’s office referred the local rag to the Labour Party press office. Perhaps Markus didn’t want to prejudice the investigation? (If so, say so.)

Although when Labour Together was condemned recently by a far more outspoken Labour MP in the Commons — “This is some dark shit!” — Markus did not even look up from his phone.

Perhaps the integrity of political money matters most to Markus when nobody raises the question of his own?