Evidence submitted by Chris Mullen MP
Herewith a number of suggestions which I hope
you may find helpful:
(1) It seems to me that, as a mailer of
principle, we should be aiming to reduce the amount of money swilling
about in British politics with a view to getting back to issue-driven
rather than money-driven election campaigns. I, therefore, suggest
that a much tighter cap—I would suggest halving the present
limit of £20 million—be set on what political parties
can spend on national election campaigning.
(2) That local spending limits—which
at present apply only from the time an election is declared—be
extended to cover the preceding 12 months with a view to eliminating
the abuse that occurred in the run up to the last election where
money from two main sources—Bearwood Corporate Services
Limited and the Midlands Industrial Council— was poured
into marginal seats enabling Conservative candidates to outspend
their rivals by a margin of more than ten to one. I refer you
to the work of my former colleague, Peter Bradley, for the details—a
copy of which I enclose.
(3) That consideration be given to giving
taxpayers the opportunity to donate a small amount, say up to
£50, free of tax to the political party of their choice.
For those on PAYB this could be done by check-off in the way that
the trade union political levy is currently deducted. This seems
to me the only form of State aid that, given it is optional, would
be politically tolerable. This should be made conditional upon
a strict limit on individual donations.
(4) That there is no basis for dispensing
with the political levy paid by some trade unionists. Contrary
to what some allege, the money donated by trade unions does not
consist of large sums handed over by a handful of trade union
barons, but of the aggregated contributions each consisting of
no more than £4 or £5 a year made voluntarily by up
to four million trade unionists. Far from being in any way reprehensible,
it seems to me the nearest we come to mass politics in the UK.
(5) Likewise, I see no reason to object to company
donations, providing they have been authorised by shareholders,
as required by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums
Act, 2000.I would be grateful if you would bear these points in
mind when considering your recommendations.Please also find enclosed
a copy of the minority report—which I drafted—of the
Home Affairs Select Committee which examined the issue of party
funding in 1994, although events have moved on a little since
then. I draw your attention in particular to the table on page
xlvii documenting the close correlation between honours and donations
to the ruling party.
Chris Mullen MP
April 2006
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