1071 Party Funding.qxd 30/11/04 11:32 Page a3 December 2004 The funding of political parties Report and recommendations 1071 Party Funding.qxd 30/11/04 11:32 Page a4 Translations and other formats For information on obtaining this publication in another language or in a large-print or Braille version please contact The Electoral Commission: Tel: 020 7271 0500 Email:
[email protected] The Electoral Commission We are an independent body that was set up by the UK Parliament. We aim to gain public confidence and encourage people to take part in the democratic process within the UK by modernising the electoral process, promoting public awareness of electoral matters and regulating political parties. The funding of political parties Report and recommendations Copyright © The Electoral Commission 2004 ISBN: 1-904363-54-7 1071 Party Funding.qxd 30/11/04 11:32 Page 1 1 Contents Executive summary 3 Financial implications of limiting donations 84 Commission position 86 1Introduction 7 Political parties 7 6Public funding of political parties 89 Review process 9 Background 89 Priorities 10 Direct public funding 90 Scope 10 Indirect public funding 92 Stakeholders’ views 94 2 Attitudes towards the funding of Commission position 97 political parties 13 Reforming the policy development Research 13 grant scheme 97 Public opinion 14 New forms of public funding 98 Party activists 20 Attitudes towards implementation 23 7 The way forward 103 The importance of political parties 103 3Party income and expenditure 25 The way forward 104 The