On Wednesday, the Commons signed-off a bill to keep foreign money out of British politics. On Thursday, Channel 4 showed us how the game is actually played.
I should, perhaps, have included a link to the National Commission report referred to in this piece. Those interested in that can find it at the link below. 👍🏻
I loathe money in politics, but appreciate that it is a necessary evil. A sensible solution would be to have caps on different kinds on donation: individual, corporate, organisational, union and legacy - barring non-residents, of course. And for set payments to be made for reasonable electoral expenses etc.
The TU exemption makes no more sense than an exemption for companies or other associations. The workaround for individual TUs is that the donation to parties be made as a named item on memberships with parties listed alongside an opt-out i.e. the individual is making the donation, just via a 3rd party.
TUs as a whole should not have an outsize sway over a party because they control the majority of that party's donations, any more than any other group.
I should, perhaps, have included a link to the National Commission report referred to in this piece. Those interested in that can find it at the link below. 👍🏻
https://www.biggerthanpolitics.com/the-national-commission-on-electoral-reform-in-a-nutshell
Thank you for this clear and important summary.
Thank you, Caryl. 🙏
I loathe money in politics, but appreciate that it is a necessary evil. A sensible solution would be to have caps on different kinds on donation: individual, corporate, organisational, union and legacy - barring non-residents, of course. And for set payments to be made for reasonable electoral expenses etc.
So what can *we* do? You know, the people who are actually supposed to be being represented.
Can we write to individual members of the HoL? Can you give us a template for that?
Interesting piece Mark . Well done for sharing it !.
The TU exemption makes no more sense than an exemption for companies or other associations. The workaround for individual TUs is that the donation to parties be made as a named item on memberships with parties listed alongside an opt-out i.e. the individual is making the donation, just via a 3rd party.
TUs as a whole should not have an outsize sway over a party because they control the majority of that party's donations, any more than any other group.