Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Foreign Donations to UK Political Parties

Thursday 16 January 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Foreign donations to UK political parties total 150 million since 2021.
  • Transparency International UK estimates that 10% of political funding comes from foreign sources.
  • Government acknowledges the need for legislative changes to address foreign donations in British politics.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Joe Powell Lab Kensington and Bayswater
Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

Recent controversies involving foreign billionaires donating to opposition parties have raised concerns about the adequacy of current rules on non-UK citizen donations.

Question

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?

Answer from Jeremy Wright

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline for when proposals will come forward was not provided.

How: Proposals Must Come From The Government, He Has More Influence With The Government

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Q2 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Democracy & Elections
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Jeremy Wright

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific action to bring parties together now was not committed to.

How: Gaps In The Law, Electoral Commission Is Speaking To Government

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