Commons Plans To Reject Party Funding Reform

The top three parties in the House of Commons are expected to reject the independent proposals to reform and cap party funding and donations.

This week, the Committee on Standards in Public Life published its findings on political donations, saying that the only safe way to remove "big money" from party funding is to put a cap on donations, set at £10,000.

The committee said they were conscious that the effects of a cap on the finances of the largest parties will be significant, but they expected parties to respond by cutting their spending, particularly their spending on campaigning, and to step up their efforts to engage with a larger number of individual supporters.

Meanwhile, the plan also includes changes to those paying the union political levy, which requires an "opt out" to stop a contribution going to the Labour Party. This will be changed to an "opt in", under the new arrangements.

However, both the Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem parties have each indicated they would not support the recommendations.

Michael Dugher MP, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, said that the party "remains committed" to further reform of party funding, but wanted to so on a cross-party basis and that the public has "a big say in all of this".

The committee found that polling shows the public do indeed want big money removed from politics and 42% of voters believe donations of more than £100,000 are designed "to gain access and influence over the party".

However, switching the blame to the conservative party, a non-committal Mr Dugher said: “It is matter of great regret that the Conservative Party has refused to even accept a £10,000 cap on donations or proper expenditure controls.

"We believe further consideration should be given to tighter controls on spending and whether the proposed cap is set too high. We also have concerns about the proposed treatment of affiliation fees from trade union members."

(DW)