(3) Parties discussing funding review

Independent UKIP · 15-05-2007, 07:37 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6656175.stm

Quote:

Parties discussing funding review

Talks have begun between Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems to try to reach agreement on how parties are funded.

Sir Hayden Phillips, who published his review of party funding in March and is chairing the meeting, said there was "broad agreement" about most issues.

But recommendations on capping spending on campaigns and individual donations remained "obstacles", he said.

His review, which also backed a £25m-a-year rise in state funding, was aimed at restoring public confidence.

Its recommendations included the largest parties cutting spending between elections by £20m each.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said in March that the report showed there was a "basis for a new agreement" on party funding, and said a deal would pave the way for legislation in the next parliamentary session.

Labour is concerned that a cap on individual donations would threaten its historic link with the trade unions, while the Tories are likely to oppose tough limits on spending at local constituency level.

Sir Hayden said he believed agreement can be reached on the two main issues through direct talks between parties.

"Reaching agreement will, however, depend on the willingness of the parties to engage constructively with each other in order to find a common outcome," he said.

"That will take some determination, and some compromise on all sides."

He added that involving only the three biggest parties appeared to be the only way of reaching an agreement on the issue, but he would remain in contact with other parties and seek their views where appropriate.

The review was commissioned by Mr Blair in March 2006, after it emerged that to fund their 2005 General Election campaign, Labour had been secretly loaned nearly £14m and the Conservatives £16m.

The Liberal Democrats said they had borrowed £850,000 from three backers.

http://www.partyfundingreview.gov.uk/htms/news.htm

Quote:

15 May 2007
Funding of Political Parties

Inter-Party talks to begin today

Talks between the three main political parties to reach agreement on measures to reform political party funding begin today under the chairmanship of Sir Hayden Phillips.

The inter-party talks are being undertaken to resolve the outstanding issues from the Review of the Funding of Political Parties published by Sir Hayden in March. The process is scheduled to run until the end of June.

The party delegations will be led by
Conservative Party: Francis Maude MP
Labour Party: Jack Straw MP
Liberal Democrat Party: David Heath MP

In announcing the start of the talks, Sir Hayden said:

In my report, "Strengthening Democracy: Fair and Sustainable Funding of Political Parties", I explained that the main parties are in broad agreement on a number of issues but had not yet reached agreement on two in particular - the nature of a cap on donations, and spending limits. I believed then that an agreement could be reached on these issues through direct talks between the parties.

I was therefore encouraged that in responding to my report the three main parties agreed to talk to each other in order to resolve the outstanding issues. Today's talks are the start of this new process.

Reaching agreement will, however, depend on the willingness of the parties to engage constructively with each other in order to find a common outcome. That will take some determination, and some compromise on all sides. But I do believe and I believe the parties share this view themselves that the prize of an agreed system of how political parties should be funded is both in their individual interests and in the wider interests of our democratic system.

I do not underestimate the task ahead. But there is a unique opportunity at this time, and I hope the parties seize it. I have committed to make myself available until then to do all I can to facilitate the process.

I am, of course, conscious that this process will involve only the three main parties represented in Westminster. I believe that this is the only practical way of reaching agreement on this issue. Yet I will remain in contact with the other parties and, where appropriate, seek their views on particular issues.

Phil Sheldon · 15-05-2007, 09:34 PM

This has been a thorny subject for some time ie: 1997 and Blair sleaze.
I cannot agree with political parties being wholly state funded simply because I can forsee the time when, in a fit of pique, the dominant party cuts or reduces the amount of money available to the opposition, and that would be a serious blow to democracy "As we know it Jim".

By all means limit the total amount that can be spent on elections and let the state-Taxpayer-give a fixed % but keep total funding away from Government.

tito · 15-05-2007, 09:41 PM

******** to the whole affair.

Why should I fork out for old Davey to fly around in a helicopter shouting at me because of my carbon emissions?

kernow · 15-05-2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tito

b******s to the whole affair.

Why should I fork out for old Davey to fly around in a helicopter shouting at me because of my carbon emissions?

I'm with you on this one!

TonyG · 15-05-2007, 11:36 PM

The only reason they want state funding is because they know they are **** at the job and, as a result, the donations are drying up. And with the investigations going on they will not be able to pull any more loan stunts to bale themselves out!

15-05-2007, 11:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
TonyG Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,589	The only reason they want state funding is because they know they are **** at the job and, as a result, the donations are drying up. And with the investigations going on they will not be able to pull any more loan stunts to bale themselves out! __________________ If you don't think you can change the world, who do you expect to do it for you? ---- http://www.mercola.com/townofallopat...ofallopath.htm

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15-05-2007, 09:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phil Sheldon Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 587	This has been a thorny subject for some time ie: 1997 and Blair sleaze. I cannot agree with political parties being wholly state funded simply because I can forsee the time when, in a fit of pique, the dominant party cuts or reduces the amount of money available to the opposition, and that would be a serious blow to democracy "As we know it Jim". By all means limit the total amount that can be spent on elections and let the state-Taxpayer-give a fixed % but keep total funding away from Government.

15-05-2007, 09:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
tito Uber Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Pembrokeshire Posts: 3,035	******** to the whole affair. Why should I fork out for old Davey to fly around in a helicopter shouting at me because of my carbon emissions?