16 May 2006
Read our press release announcing the formal launch of the Review:
Public's views sought on political party funding
Sir Hayden Phillips announced that his Review of the Funding of Political Parties starts today with the launch of a website and his giving evidence to the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee about the way in which the Review will be conducted.
Sir Hayden said:
"The point of having a website is to hear the public's views, in addition to the views of the political parties. It would be extremely useful for me to hear from as many people as possible. I need the public's input into this Review. I intend to update the website as the Review progresses, taking account of the views expressed.
"Others too will be gathering information and expressing their views, for example the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee and the Electoral Commission. I will take careful account of what they say.
"In conducting the Review I am starting from three basic assumptions:
- The financial health of political parties is fundamental to our parliamentary democracy
- How parties are funded should be fully transparent
- A future system should encourage democratic engagement and be as fair as is possible between parties.
"This is an opportunity to find an agreed way forward on an issue that is central to Parliamentary democracy in this country."
Sir Hayden is writing today to all political parties that have representatives at Westminster, the European Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the parties in Northern Ireland, inviting them to meet him individually. In addition, he will be travelling to Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast to talk to political parties based in those parts of the United Kingdom if they wish.
The independent Review will:
- Examine the case for state funding of political parties, including whether it should be enhanced in return for a cap on the size of donations
- Consider the transparency of the funding of political parties
The website - www.partyfundingreview.gov.uk - contains details of the review including terms of reference, current party funding arrangements, frequently asked questions, and biographical and contact details.
Members of the public are encouraged to help shape the debate and give their views on questions such as:
- Should there be a cap on donations to political parties?
- Should present limits on general election expenditure be changed?
- Should the level of state funding of political parties be changed?
Sir Hayden Phillips will work closely with stakeholders including, especially, the political parties and the Electoral Commission. He has been asked to aim to produce recommendations which are as much as possible agreed between the political parties with a view to legislation as soon as Parliamentary time allows.
HP-001-06
Page last updated: 19 December 2006