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20/03/2006
Plans to ban 'secret' party loans
Secret loans to political parties could be outlawed under new legislation proposed by the Lord Chancellor as the row over the 'cash-for-peerages' scandal continues.
Lord Falconer has suggested that a ban should be introduced to the Electoral Administration Bill which is currently going through Parliament.
The Lord Chancellor also said that the law could be retrospective, meaning that parties would also have to declare the details of previous party loans.
The Lord Chancellor's announcement comes in the wake of sleaze allegations against the Labour government, after it emerged that several businessmen who lent the party money had been nominated for peerages.
Last week, Prime Minister Tony Blair had strongly denied any links between the loans and the nominations, saying: "It shouldn't be one in exchange for the other and it wasn't."
Lord Falconer said that he did not think that receiving the loans was deceitful, but said that the system needed to be changed in order to address concerns about the way parties were funded.
He also dismissed claims that the row would hasten Mr Blair's departure from Downing Street, saying: "The problem is not a group of people in No 10 Downing Street. The problem is how you fund political parties."
Former senior civil servant Sir Hayden Phillips is now conducting a review of party political funding.
The Conservatives have proposed introducing a cap on the size of donations parties can receive, limiting donations to £50,000, as well as a reduction in the amount parties can spend during a General Election campaign, from £20 million to £15 million.
Conservative leader David Cameron is also believed to support reducing the number of MPs in Britain by 10% in order to contribute money to support state funding for parties.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said that the "credibility of British politics will remain diminished" unless the details of past loans were declared. He said: "For the Prime Minister to uphold the principles to which he said he subscribed to in 1997, he will have to ban large scale secret loans, provide limited state funding, put caps on annual donations and reduce the General Election expenditure cap."
(KMcA)
Lord Falconer has suggested that a ban should be introduced to the Electoral Administration Bill which is currently going through Parliament.
The Lord Chancellor also said that the law could be retrospective, meaning that parties would also have to declare the details of previous party loans.
The Lord Chancellor's announcement comes in the wake of sleaze allegations against the Labour government, after it emerged that several businessmen who lent the party money had been nominated for peerages.
Last week, Prime Minister Tony Blair had strongly denied any links between the loans and the nominations, saying: "It shouldn't be one in exchange for the other and it wasn't."
Lord Falconer said that he did not think that receiving the loans was deceitful, but said that the system needed to be changed in order to address concerns about the way parties were funded.
He also dismissed claims that the row would hasten Mr Blair's departure from Downing Street, saying: "The problem is not a group of people in No 10 Downing Street. The problem is how you fund political parties."
Former senior civil servant Sir Hayden Phillips is now conducting a review of party political funding.
The Conservatives have proposed introducing a cap on the size of donations parties can receive, limiting donations to £50,000, as well as a reduction in the amount parties can spend during a General Election campaign, from £20 million to £15 million.
Conservative leader David Cameron is also believed to support reducing the number of MPs in Britain by 10% in order to contribute money to support state funding for parties.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said that the "credibility of British politics will remain diminished" unless the details of past loans were declared. He said: "For the Prime Minister to uphold the principles to which he said he subscribed to in 1997, he will have to ban large scale secret loans, provide limited state funding, put caps on annual donations and reduce the General Election expenditure cap."
(KMcA)
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18 September 2003
Hereditary peers to go in Lords reform package
Under proposals for Lords reform, the government will remove the remaining 92 hereditary peers sitting in the second chamber and set up a statutory Appointments Commission to select and oversee appointments to the House of Lords.
Hereditary peers to go in Lords reform package
Under proposals for Lords reform, the government will remove the remaining 92 hereditary peers sitting in the second chamber and set up a statutory Appointments Commission to select and oversee appointments to the House of Lords.
23 June 2003
Disarray in UUP as three MPs resign party whip
The resignation of three of the Ulster Unionist Party's MPs from the parliamentary whip earlier today was quickly follows by calls for party leader David Trimble to change party policy or resign.
Disarray in UUP as three MPs resign party whip
The resignation of three of the Ulster Unionist Party's MPs from the parliamentary whip earlier today was quickly follows by calls for party leader David Trimble to change party policy or resign.
28 November 2006
Details of party loans published
The main political parties have outstanding loans totaling around £60 million, the Electoral Commission has revealed. According to the Commission, at the end of September the Conservatives owed more than £35 million, while Labour had debts of more than £23 million. The Liberal Democrats owed £1.1 million.
Details of party loans published
The main political parties have outstanding loans totaling around £60 million, the Electoral Commission has revealed. According to the Commission, at the end of September the Conservatives owed more than £35 million, while Labour had debts of more than £23 million. The Liberal Democrats owed £1.1 million.
08 November 2006
Brown and Milburn drawn into cash-for-honours investigation
Chancellor Gordon Brown and former health secretary Alan Milburn are the latest people asked to assist with the police investigation into the cash-for-honours affair.
Brown and Milburn drawn into cash-for-honours investigation
Chancellor Gordon Brown and former health secretary Alan Milburn are the latest people asked to assist with the police investigation into the cash-for-honours affair.
13 July 2006
MPs briefed on Lord Levy arrest
Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Yates has told MPs this morning that the arrest of Lord Levy for questioning is not a "symbolic" gesture. Lord Levy, 61, the Labour Party's chief fundraiser, was arrested by police investigating allegations of "cash for peerages", but he was later released on bail pending further inquiries.
MPs briefed on Lord Levy arrest
Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Yates has told MPs this morning that the arrest of Lord Levy for questioning is not a "symbolic" gesture. Lord Levy, 61, the Labour Party's chief fundraiser, was arrested by police investigating allegations of "cash for peerages", but he was later released on bail pending further inquiries.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
