Politics: 2.1 Political Parties: funding Flashcards
What is the maximum state funding available per party from the Electoral Commission?
Up to £2 million in grants (Policy Development Grants).
What is ‘Short Money’?
‘Short Money’ is annual funding given to opposition parties to fund their parliamentary work.
Who qualifies for ‘Short Money’?( In terms of votes and seats)
All parties in the House of Commons that secure either two seats or one seat and more than 150,000 votes at the previous General Election.
What is the general funding amount for opposition parties per seat
£21,401 for every seat won
What is the funding available for the Leader of the Opposition’s office for the financial year starting April 2022?
£998,817 is available for the running costs of the Leader of the Opposition’s office.
What was the source of income for parties in the 1950s and 1960s?
High membership numbers provided a good source of income for parties.
What significance has party membership fees been in party funding since the 2000s?
Membership fees have once again become an important source of funding for parties like Labour and SNP.
How did the Conservatives traditionally attract donations?
From wealthy individuals and big businesses.
How did Labour traditionally attract funding?
From trade unions, which also played an important role in shaping its policies.
What was the scandal involving Bernie Ecclestone and Labour?
Ecclestone donated £1M to Labour, allegedly contributing to the delay in implementing a ban on tobacco advertising.
What did Tony Blair say in defense of the Ecclestone donation?
“I’m a pretty straight sort of guy” and the money was returned.
What powers did the Electoral Commission gain from the Political Parties and Elections Act (2009)?
The power to investigate breaches of the law and impose fines.
What cap did the Political Parties and Elections Act (2009) place on declared donations?
Parties must declare all donations over £5000 to party HQ and £1000 t o local party organisations to the ElectoralCommission.
What was one recommendation of the Committee of Standards in Public Life (2011)?
A 15% reduction in campaign spending.
What is an argument for state funding of political parties?
It will reduce the huge financial advantage that large parties enjoy.
What could reform of state funding improve in the UK’s democracy?
It could reduce the influence of donors and create a more level playing field for smaller parties.
When was short money introduced?
1975
Whta is Cranborne money
Introduced in 1996, allocated funds to the two main opposition parties in the House of Lords
How much are PM’s payed?
£91,346 (2024)
What can MP’s clai additional money for?
MPs are able to claim allowances to cover the costs of running an office and employing staff, and maintaining a constituency residence or a residence in London.
Between what periods was membership ofalll uk parties 5 million?
1940-50s
What and when was the peak LAB membership after membership reform?
552,000 2017
What and when was the peak membership of the SNP?
100,000/ 5 million scots following the 2014 referendum
How did Labours funding change under ‘New Labour’?
1994-2010), money increasingly came from successful individuals, as Labour branded its self as a ‘business friendly’ party.
What was the Bernie Ecclestone controversy? And when was it?
1997 Ecclestone donated £1M toLabour. It was alleged that this had contributed to the delay in implementing a ban on tobacco advertising in Formula One
What was the cash for honers scandel? When was it?
2006 It was speculated that Blair appointed a significant number of Life Peers to the House of Lords in exchange for substantial loans to the Labour Party. Since loans do not have to be declared, it was seen as a quiet way toget money forthe party.
What did the Political Parties and Elections Act (2009) create?
The electoral commission
When was the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act
2000
What did the The Committee ofStandards inPublic Life (2011) cap donations at?
£10,000
What was the Trade Union Act(2016)
Unions must now insure that new members “optin”, rather than out , of their political funds - receive from members’ subscription fees that is earmarked for spending on political campaigning and supporting political parties.
How much funding did LAB raise in may to july 2024
9.5 million
How much funding did Cons raise in may to july 2024
1.8 million
Keir Starmer received £____ via ___ wich was re catogristed in to donations
Keir Starmer received £16, 000 via gifts wich was re catogristed t0 donations*
Lord _____ a regular Labour doner gained a ____ ______ _____ _____despite _____ holding a government role.
Lord Alli a regular Labour doner gained a * Dowing street security pass* despite never holding a government role
What donations did Lord Ailli give to starmers son?
£20,000 of accomidation for Stamers sons revision
When was the Sir Haydon Phillips inquiry?
2006
Whta were the recommendations of the Sir Hayden Phillips inquiry?
-Capping individual donations at £50,000 and capping spending for political campaigns.
- Increasing state funding by by25m and expanding its reach.
What are the 2016 shor reform
Baising the inlation rate on CPR instaed of CPI for increases in parties funding.
Whta re some arguments for state funding
-Parties play an important role in representative democracy, so deserve public funding
-Public funding would remove the great disparity in resources available to dierent-sized parties.
-If the state matched donations by party members, it might encourage participation by the public and recruitment to parties.
-It would curb the possibly corrupt influence of private backers on party policy.
Arguments against state funding
-Increased state funding could lead to calls for greater state regulation, possibly reducing parties’ independence.
-It is hard to decide how much support a party should have to qualify for funding.
-Public funding could isolate parties from the wishes of the voters.
-Taxpayers would resent compulsory contributions to parties of which they disapprove.
Who is the conservatives biggest doner?
Frank Hester
What did Frakn Hester say about DiannaAbboDiannaAbbot
“want to hate all black women” “should be shot”
What possibel befitshas has Hester recived from the goverment?
More than 4 Million in NHNHsdeals
