Party Funding

Question 1

Why is party funding an issue? State 3 problems

Answer 1

. All major parties are in debt
. Party funding has been mired in debt e.g. Blair giving honours to wealthy Labour backers
. Smaller parties are at a disadvantage as they cannot compare funds with larger party’s

Question 2

What is PPera?

Answer 2

. PPera or political party’s, elections and representatives act of 2000 puts a limit on the amount of money being allowed to be spent in general elections.
. Any funding needs to be announced £5000 or more needs to be reported to the electoral commission.
. Each constituency has an outside funding limit of £30,000

Question 3

What is PPea?

Answer 3

. PPea builds on PPera by allowing commissioners to join electoral commissions far quicker and allowing these commissions to appoint commissioners with relevant experience.
. It allows electoral commissions to have more powers for investigation.
. Donations over £7500 are only allowed to those who can prove themselves UK citizens on tax purposes.

Question 4

What does the Philip report 2007 state?

Answer 4

. States that the state should fund political party’s

. The more members/ voters of a party the more funds that party receives

Question 5

What is the Kelly report 2011?

Answer 5

. Recommends that political party’s should get an extra £25million in order to reduce a party’s reliance on big money.
. Individual donations should have a set limit of £10,000

Question 6

What percentage of income for political parties come from trade unions, donations and companies?

Answer 6

. 49% from donations
.22% from companies
.21% from trade unions

Question 7

What are the arguments for the state funding parties?

Answer 7

. It would ensure greater equality of resources for parties at election time
. It would end over reliance on private donations and problems to do with it e.g. The tories spending and receiving too much money at he 2015 general election
. Would increase public confidence in parties

Question 8

What are the arguments against the state funding of parties?ii

Answer 8

. It is a misuse of taxpayers money
. It would not end questionable donations e.g. At the 2015 general election millionaire tycoon Dollar Papot supplied the Conservatives with £200,000 and then was given a peerage to nursing and care homes by David Cameron
. It would extend an unhealthy link between parties and the state