Midlands Industrial Council

"The MIC was founded in 1946 as a pressure group to fight the Attlee government's nationalisation plans and champion free enterprise. It has been giving money to the Tories for 60 years but only since the introduction of the Act has its existence become more widely known. Between April 16, 2003, and March 14, 2006, the Conservative Party received 52 donations from the MIC totalling £968,690.

"Membership is exclusive, being invitation only. All have connections with the Midlands and none resides overseas. Members meet about five times a year, go to Westminster to lobby and each year discuss with Mr Wall the amount they want to give to the Tories. The fund varies with the political cycle, but is usually in six figures."

Members
According to a BBC report published in November 2006, the following people are members of the Council:


 * Sir Anthony Bamford, Bob Edmiston, Steve Hollis, George Campion, J. Brian Pettifer, Tony Gallagher, Roy Richardson, Keith Bradshaw, John Butcher, Richard E. L Smith, Chris Kelly, James Leavesley, John Leavesley, Lowe & Fletcher Ltd, Peter Shirley, David Wall, Robert Robinson, Kambiz Jaberi, Tessa Miller, Michael Miller, Graham Hampson Silk, Constantine Folkes

"In addition the Politics Show has confirmed three other people as previous members of the Midlands Industrial Council:


 * Sir Eric Pountain, Gareth Davies, Gary Allen

According to a report in the Telegraph from September 2006:

"Only three of its members are known: Sir Anthony Bamford, the head of the JCB tractor empire, the truck firm founder Chris Kelly and Robert Edmiston, the head of the car importer IM Group. A leading Tory benefactor, Mr Edmiston was put forward for a peerage by the Tories. But the nomination was blocked along with a group of Labour nominations by the Lords Appointments Commission."

According to Powerbase the following people are members: Robert Edmiston - Chairman | David Wall - Secretary | Tony Gallagher | Roy Richardson | Anthony Bamford | David Lees, Tate & Lyle | Allen Lloyd | David Sandworth | Kim Jaberi | Peter Shirley | John Butcher | Christopher Kelly | James Leavesley | John Leavesley | Richard Smith | Brian Pettifer | Graham Hampson Silk

Related Sourcewatch

 * Taxpayers' Alliance
 * David Samworth
 * Liam Fox