Party funding

Question 1

What are the key differences in the way the conservative and labour parties are funded?

Answer 1

Conservative party has 28.8 percent more donations and legacies. Also has 13.7 percent More state funding

Question 2

Why are there concerns over large individual donations to parties?

Answer 2

Large donations to parties can result in the perception that one might be able to buy access or political influence.

Question 3

What are recent reforms to party funding?

Answer 3

2000 political parties, elections and referendums act- put overall limit on party spending in general election campaigns and required all parties to declare donations over £5,000 to electoral commissions

Question 4

What was Sir Hayden Phillips recommendations?

Answer 4

Reccomended that we could use greater state funding for uk political parties - perhaps “one pence per voter” funding formula

Question 5

What are the arguments for state funding?

Answer 5

If parties weee not funded by taxpayers they would be by special interest groups. Smaller parties could compete on equal financial footing

Question 6

Arguments against state funding?

Answer 6

Why should taxpayers bankroll money to parties they don’t support

Question 7

What’s an example over the concern of large individual donations?

Answer 7

Some felt that Bernie Ecclestone 1 million donation to Labour Party in 1997 may have resulted in subsequent delay in introduction in ban of tobacco advertising in formula 1 motor racing. This led to calls for regulation