Differences in Campaign Finance

sources of party funding - UK

• more centralised - goes to national party organisations

• individual donations e.g. trade union Unite

• e.g. John Caudwell £500k to CONS,2019

sources of party funding - USA

• highly decentralised ; funding is for candidates primarily

• interest group donations to PACs 

• self funding e.g. Trump, 2016 

limits/regulations on donation and spending - UK

• PPERA 2000; limits on campaign spending e.g. £19.5m/ party in a GE

• EC oversees enforcement

• tight legal limits

limits/regulations on donation and spending - USA

• FECA, BCRA

• however… major limits weakened/removed by USSC

• e.g. Buckley v Valeo; struck down limits on candidates’ own spending, claiming it violates first amendment protection of free speech

• weak enforcement

role of outside groups - UK

• limited

• trade unions play historical role

• Lobbying Act 2014 restrictions on third party campaigning e.g. register w/ EC if planning to spend over £100k in England

role of outside groups - USA

• massive role

• super PACs = can raise and spend unlimited amounts independently e.g. America First Action , pro Trump

• dark money = political spending by organisations that are legally not required to reveal donors

• lack of transparency