Summary of the main issues
The role of parties
For many people party politics is a turn-off. Party membership has substantially declined. Yet everyone knows that political parties are essential to Parliamentary democracy.
The funding of parties and regulation
Some views put to us in the course of the Review so far reflect a belief that political parties are or should on the whole unregulated bodies. But that position has gradually been eroded.
Limit spending
At general elections, there is an existing limit on what political parties can spend on campaigning. There are two consequential decisions if the limits are further decreased.
Limit donations
One of the most common responses to the charge that large donations to political parties buy influence is to say that the amount any individual or organisation can give should be limited.
Public funding
Adding to the amount of public funding that political parties already receive is not popular but there are clear arguments in favour of it as well as against it.
Page last updated: 19 October 2006