Dartmoor MPs' donations and gifts revealed in fresh financial analysis

An analysis of MPs' financial registers has revealed the donations, gifts and hospitality registered by politicians representing areas across and around Dartmoor.

The figures, compiled by the Local Democracy Reporting Service from the official Register of Members' Financial Interests, cover donations in categories 2a and 2b, as well as gifts, benefits and hospitality in category 3.

The analysis compares the August 2024 register entry, which was the first to include Devon's new MPs following the general election, with the September 2026 entry.

For readers across Dartmoor and West Devon, the MPs covered include Central Devon's Sir Mel Stride, Torridge and Tavistock's Sir Geoffrey Cox, South West Devon's Rebecca Smith, South Devon's Caroline Voaden and Newton Abbot's Martin Wrigley.

Sir Mel, who represents Central Devon, registered around £88,000 in donations over 2025 and 2026 under the categories examined.

His largest single donation was £25,000 from JCB for "the provision of staff".

The Register records the donation as category 2a support received by a local party organisation.

His registered gifts and hospitality also include two tickets with hospitality for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show from Lloyds Banking Group, valued at £1,839.

The Register also records hospitality tickets for other events, including the British Asian Trust reception.

Some of Sir Mel's other donations came from individuals and companies, including Chagford-based Brechin Investment, which registered a £1,514 donation for "political activity" in April 2026.

Caroline Voaden, who represents South Devon, registered £53,709 in donations under the analysis, according to the LDRS figures.

The donations were made to the local party and were registered by Ms Voaden in line with parliamentary requirements, with the analysis identifying them as largely coming from individuals.

Her registered gift was a complimentary membership of the National Liberal Club, valued at £1,552.86.

Parliament's register records the membership as having been received in 2024 and ending in December 2025.

Rebecca Smith, who represents South West Devon, had two donations made to the local party under the analysis, totalling £17,000.

She has also registered two tickets and hospitality for herself and a guest at the 2026 British Grand Prix from Silverstone Circuits Limited.

The Register gives the estimated value as £930.

Martin Wrigley, the Liberal Democrat MP for Newton Abbot, has one registered gift under the category examined: complimentary membership of the National Liberal Club, valued at £1,029.62.

Mr Wrigley said donations and gifts could be useful in supporting political campaigns and raising the profile of individuals, groups and parties, but said they should be given “freely, transparently and with no expectation of return, financial or otherwise”.

“I also feel that political donations and gifts should be capped in order to minimise the temptation of cash for policy, and also to ensure a level playing field across the whole political spectrum,” he said.

Sir Geoffrey Cox, the Conservative MP for Torridge and Tavistock, had no entries under the donation and gifts categories covered by the LDRS analysis.

His current parliamentary register does contain other financial interests, including earnings from legal work, but these fall into different categories from those examined in the analysis.

Parliament's Register of Members' Financial Interests is intended to provide transparency around relevant financial interests and benefits received by MPs.

Parliament says MPs must register changes to registrable interests within 28 days, with interests remaining on the register for 12 months after they have expired.

The wider LDRS analysis also looked at MPs representing other parts of Devon, including Plymouth, Exeter, North Devon, Torbay, Honiton and Tiverton.

According to the LDRS, Sir Geoffrey, Sir Mel and Ms Smith did not respond to the request for comment, while Ms Voaden declined to comment.