Political Parties: Funding

Question 1

Why has party funding provoked controversy?

Answer 1

The rise of large donations since the 90s led to the perception that one might be able to buy access or political influence

Question 2

What is the Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act (PPERA) (2000)?

Answer 2

• Imposed overall limit on party spending in GE campaigns
• £30,000 per constituency
• Established additional spending limits for elections to devolved bodies and European Parliament
• Required parties to declare all donations over £5,000 to the Electoral Commission

Question 3

What is the Political Parties and Elections Act (PPEA) (2009)?

Answer 3

• Built upon PPERA
• Allowed for appointment of commissioners with more recent experience
• Imposed tighter regulations on spending by candidates in the run-up to an election
• Allowed Electoral Commission to investigate cases and impose fines
• Raised threshold at which donations must be declared from £5,000 to £7,500
• Restricted donations over £7,500 to those who could prove they were UK residents for tax purposes

Question 4

What is short money?

Answer 4

Comprises those funds paid to opposition parties in order to help them cover their admin costs and thereby provide for proper scrutiny of the gov. Available to all opposition parties who win two or more seats or one seat and over 150,000 votes

Question 5

What is Cranborne money?

Answer 5

Short money in the House of Lords