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Party Political Funding: Paying the Politicians at Poll Time

The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (PPERA) 2000 aimed to take the heat out of election campaign spending and party funding. Among other things, the Act limits the amount of money that political parties can spend on running their election campaigns.

The General Election of 2001 was the first to be affected by the spending limits. With another full national election likely to take place in 2005 and the vote for a US President due in November, it's time to look into the role that money plays in politics and the impact of legal regulation on the funding of political parties.

This Argument investigates how we in the UK fund the politicians who represent us. How much do they spend on their election campaigns and how do we make sure that their activities are free from 'sleaze'? Can business influence government and opposition parties by 'buying' their support? In the end does it matter?

Not in my Name

Rock the Vote

	Just hearing about those party conferences. Wonder how many rubber chicken drumsticks they get through at those?
			Wouldn't know. Do you reckon you'll get invited to your party's conference?
	What? The Church of the Militant Elvis party? Don't think they do a conference.
			Shame! Imagine all you lot turning up with dodgy sideburns and Elvis quiffs!
	What about you then? Which conference would you go to?
			Think it would have to be the Anti-Party party. They sound like my sort of politicians.
	Yeah, but you'd get terribly lonely there!

How much can parties spend at election time?

	That's an awful lot of cash, isn't it?
			Yep, but most parties don't take part in all the constituencies, do they? I think it would cost them too much.
	How much does it cost then?

What does it cost to be a candidate at an election?

	So they haven't put off the usual loonies taking part in elections then?
			Not quite!

Who can't take part in an election?

	Well, that should rule out most of them, eh?
			Cheap shot, but needed to be said!

What can the parties spend their money on?

	OK, so that's what they can spend, what about where they get their money?
			Yeah, who pays the politicians, then?

Donations to UK political parties

	That's going to stop corruption, is it?
			Doesn't sound like it's going to work to me. I mean nothing here actually stops dodgy dealing does it?

Will the system work?

	Enough to make you want to abstain, isn't it?
			What? And lose your chance to vote for a party with 'Elvis' in its title?

Why should we care?

	What about in the States? They've got an election campaign going on there haven't they?
			Yep. And that's bound to be all above board isn't it?
	Whoa! Heavy irony there.

Does the American Presidential campaign provide a good comparison with the UK system?

	What?! I'm not paying for them!
			Surely they'd still find ways round any new system.
	Yeah, money buys power and influence everywhere!

Does sleaze happen in other countries' political systems?

	There you go. Just as I thought, they've all got their snouts in the trough as soon as they think no one's looking.
			Don't start! You'll get me thinking of those rubber chicken drumsticks again.

Where can I get further information?