'Taxpayer should help fund political parties'
TAXPAYERS should help to fund political parties, a Bristol MP has said.
Stephen Williams said a "modest" contribution of 50p per elector should be made as part of a bid to clean up party funding.
The recommendation came from a report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life, which Mr Williams, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West, said should be implemented in full. It also proposed a £10,000 cap on donations.
Mr Williams was speaking during yesterday's emergency debate on reports that the Conservatives' co-treasurer had offered access to Downing Street in return for a six-figure donation to the party.
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Comments
by Walkthetalk
Friday, March 30 2012, 1:03AM
“A 50p contribution is nowhere near enough, it should be £3.00 per registered electorate.
Added to this all political parties should get an equal share of this 'electorate' public money (yes, although I hate to say it, even the BNP) & the total amount of money a political party can accrue, through public or private donation, should be capped so each party goes into an election (general or local) with ideally the same amount of money, therefore giving no party a financial advantage.
If a party accrues private/electorate donations that exceeds the cap then the excess funds will be forfeit & taken from the party in question & given to the treasury.
No party should be allowed to obtain donations over £50,000 per individual person/business & this donation definitely does not get you access to a 'senior' politician, so no 'thank you' dinner with Dave, Ed or Nick.
Union members who pay a current voluntary political fee to the Labour party will pay £3.00, but not contribute to the 'electorate' public fund. Again if these funds from the union exceeds the cap then the excess funds will be forfeit & taken from the party & given to the treasury.
If a union member opts out of the political levee, as is their right, then they pay into the 'electorate' public fund.
Finally party membership fees should be used only to fund the day to day running of a particular party & not be used for electioneering purposes.
If anyone wants to add to these ideas, feel free to comment.”
by DM_Fishponds
Thursday, March 29 2012, 6:54PM
“@BenGoldstrom - "Babara Janke's high profile and determination to fight Bristol's corner is impressive"
BJ's determined opposition to a 'real' Mayor for Bristol would make her position untenable if the referendum shows that an elected mayor is what the people want.
Does she intend to resign at that time?”
by BenGoldstrom
Thursday, March 29 2012, 6:40PM
“Babara Janke's high profile and determination to fight Bristol's corner is impressive”
by DM_Fishponds
Thursday, March 29 2012, 6:30PM
“Ben, I thought we were talking about funding for political parties at National level not local elections.
Although it would be interesting to find out how much money First Bus gives to the Bristol LibDems!”
by BenGoldstrom
Thursday, March 29 2012, 3:29PM
“Lib Dems have been in control of the local authority for a while now.”
by DM_Fishponds
Thursday, March 29 2012, 12:43PM
“But how would the money be split amongst all the political parties?
I can understand the split for Labour, Conservatives and the Monster Raving Looney Party but what about the minor political parties?
I would object to funding UKIP, the BEP etc. Even the LibDems would want a cut! Where would it end?”
by BenGoldstrom
Thursday, March 29 2012, 10:39AM
“A principled idea from a good local MP”