Constitutional Affairs - First Report

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Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 13 December 2006.

Contents

Terms of Reference

Summary

1 Background

2 The Funding of Political Parties in the UK

The Regulatory Framework: The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (PPERA) 2000

Party Income

Membership Fees

Trade Union Funding

Donation Income

Public Funding

Party Expenditure

Campaign Spending

The Arms Race: the Cost of Campaigning

Conclusion: So What's the Problem?

3 Potential Solutions: Regulation and Spending Control

Regulation and Transparency

Enforcement and Practicality

The Electoral Commission

Spending Control

Local and National Limits

Timing: Constant Campaigning

Third Party Spending

Conclusion

4 Potential Solutions: Sources of Funding

Donations

Individual Donations

Affiliated Organizations and Corporations

Loans

State Funding

The Consequences

How Much Funding is Required?

How will Funds be Raised and Distributed?

Extending the Current Arrangements?

Matching Funds

Tax relief on Donations

Determining Thresholds

Conclusion

5 The Way Ahead: What Principles Should Govern Party Funding?

Conclusions and recommendations

Formal minutes

Witnesses

Informal Meetings

List of written evidence

Reports from the Constitutional Affairs Committee

ORAL AND WRITTEN EVIDENCE - HC163-II
Oral Evidence - 19 April 2006
Oral Evidence - 16 May 2006
Oral Evidence - 4 July 2006

Written Evidence

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Prepared 19 December 2006