Political Parties - Funding Of Parties

Question 1

Funding of political parties

Answer 1

• while MPs are paid by the state, political parties must fund their own activities, which usually consists of membership fees and donations

Question 2

Donations to political parties

Answer 2

• can be accepted if they come from ‘permissible sources’ ;
• someone on the UK electoral register
• a UK registered company
• a registered political party
• registered trade union to building society
• no rules on limiting the amount of money that individuals may give, as long as the donation is declared & the donor is permissable

Question 3

Should parties receive state funding - yes

Answer 3

• stops wealthy groups influencing parties
• parties can focus on representing the electorate, not fundraising
• smaller parties will get fair financial support
• less wealthy pressure groups will get a more equal hearing by parties

Question 4

Should parties receive state funding - no

Answer 4

• politicians may be less interested in what pressure groups have to say
• taxpayers should not be funding political parties
• there would be a disagreement over how funding would be allocated