It is vital for the public’s trust in our democratic processes that there is transparency around donations.
There is a long-standing principle that only those on the UK electoral register are permissible political donors. This is upheld by a framework of laws and standards enforced by the Electoral Commission, the independent body that regulates political finance in the UK. Under current law, parties must report donations to the Electoral Commission if they total over £11,180 from the same source in a calendar year. Donations over £2,230 from the same source above this initial £11,180 amount in the same calendar year must also be reported.
I understand the Government will set out their plans for changes to political finance law in due course. It is a long-standing convention that the Government consults with other political parties on changes to political finance rules, so as to not impose measures affecting political finance to their own partisan advantage. I am deeply disappointed therefore with the Government's failure to adequately consult the other political parties on these changes ahead of this announcement. Regardless, I shall continue to follow this matter closely, and I look forward to scrutinising the Government's proposals once further details are made available.
I have great faith in the British public. I do not think the British public can be bought; they will decide at the next election who should govern the country.