Evaluate The View That the Funding of Political Parties in The UK Should Be Reformed. (30)

AGREE 1

Donations from rich individuals and businesses are a key source of party funding in the UK

Concerns of rich individuals being able to purchase political influence.

1. 2021, CON party received £20,500,000

2021, LAB party received £9,933,000

2. 2006-07 'cash for peerages' scandal - individuals who had loan significant amounts to the Labour Party were being nominated by PM Tony Blair for life peerages in the HoL.

3. Johnson - lord cruddass and Lebedev

Concerns that policy may be shaped to favour donors rather than voters undermining democracy

DISAGREE 1

Donations aren't the only source of party funding in the UK, membership subscriptions, trade unions (LAB) and some public funding are key sources.

2021, LAB received around 15.5% of their total income from state funding that is available to opposition parties, 13% from trade unions and 35% from membership fees.

Reduces the reliance on wealthy donors and therefore limits their potential influence.

AGREE 2

current system of party funding favours the LAB and CON parties and upholds a two-party system in the UK.

LAB and CON receive a great deal more funding than minor parties:

2021, LAB received £45,564,000 and CON received £31,744,000 whilst the next highest amnt of party funding was just £5,733,339 for the LD.

Allows them to outspend minor parties in terms of spending on fighting elections, hiring staff and spending money on advertising.

DISAGREE 2

The current system can be seen as reflecting public support. LAB and CON do receive the most funding, but they also have by far the most support across the UK.

LAB party received the most money of any party in 2021 with over £45m however this reflects that they also have the largest membership of any party with over 400,000 members.

If state funding was introduced and determined based on how well a party did at the previous election, then it would do little to tackle the two-party system.

DISAGREE 3

Funding of political parties has little impact in terms of electoral success

In 2019 the Brexit party spent around1.3m on campaigning yet failed to win any seats whereas the SNP spent around 630k and won 48 seats.

Disproportionate financial influence has little impact on the outcome of elections.