Foreign Donations to UK Political Parties 2025-01-16
2025-01-16
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Recent controversies involving foreign billionaires donating to opposition parties have raised concerns about the adequacy of current rules on non-UK citizen donations.
In recent weeks we have seen the unedifying spectacle of opposition parties trying to curry favour with one particular foreign billionaire. However, this issue is much bigger than Elon Musk. Transparency International UK estimates that £1 in every £10 in our system—£150 million since 2021—comes from questionable or unknown sources. When will these proposals come forward, so that we can debate them in the House and tackle this threat to our democracy?
As the hon. Member will understand, proposals to change the law must come from the Government—with whom, I gently suggest, he has more influence than I do—but he is right that transparency is crucial. It is important that we understand the source of the donations, so that the political parties that accept them can be properly held to account.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific timeline for when proposals will come forward was not provided.
Proposals Must Come From The Government
He Has More Influence With The Government
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns about the adequacy of current rules regarding donations from non-UK citizens to political parties, especially given recent controversies involving foreign billionaires.
Surely, even in these febrile times, it should not be difficult to build a consensus around the proposition that foreign money should not be in British politics. Can we not get the parties together now to make the strongest possible package of reforms, rather than reacting when it is too late?
As I mentioned, there is a consensus in this House that foreign donations should not play a part in British politics, but there are gaps in the law. As I mentioned, the Electoral Commission believes that those gaps can be properly closed through further legislation. It is speaking to the Government about that, and I know that it would be happy discuss the matter further with the right hon. Gentleman, if he so wishes.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific action to bring parties together now was not committed to.
Gaps In The Law
Electoral Commission Is Speaking To Government
Response accuracy