I have been following my hon. Friend's speech closely, and I agree with a great deal of it, but does he not risk becoming diverted on the issue of the communications allowance? He says that it amounts to £50,000 or £60,000 in a full Parliament. A rich donor—a very rich donor—to a political party could contribute £1 million over that period and think nothing of it. Has my hon. Friend taken account of a more serious threat to our democracy? An individual as rich as the one whom he has named could change the whole nature of one of our great political parties by being in charge of the selection process, and being able to pick and choose between pro-Europeans and anti-Europeans and between the right wing and the left wing of the party. Such an individual could end a whole tradition—the tradition of Members speaking on behalf of the Conservative party. Is that not more dangerous and undermining of our democracy than anything involved in the communications allowance?
Political Parties and Elections Bill
Proceeding contribution from
Barry Sheerman
(Labour)
in the House of Commons on Monday, 20 October 2008.
It occurred during Debate on bills on Political Parties and Elections Bill.
About this proceeding contribution
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481 c109 Session
2007-08Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamberSubjects
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