Public funding for UK political parties?

Question

Seems to me the argument is

"we cant be trusted to be honest, so just give us your money so we don't have to misappropriate it elsewhere"

Well if all criminals were given a million quid they might not reoffend, but as an honest person I don't see why I should be forced to pay it...

Answer 1

You're quite correct. It's amazing how quickly Labour have tried to turn round the row on party funding after they were found to be breaking laws they introduced themselves to try and suit their own purposes. The fact they have done it so transparently (makes a change) will not be viewed very well by the general public in my humble opinion. Would any one of us on here really be happy to see our tax money being paid out to the BNP, the Labour party, Conservatives or any other political party we are diametrically opposed to? I think not.

One should note that the current vortex that Labour find themselves in has nothing whatsoever to do with fighting a general election against other political parties. It came about as a result of an internal Labour leadership campaign for the position of deputy leader. How would  state funding have effected this campaign? Quite clearly it wouldn't, unless Gordon Brown is now saying the electorate should also be responsible for funding internal party leadership campaigns.

The only thing that will solve Labour's woes at this time and bring honesty and integrity to party political funding is for political parties to be honest and transparent about their funding in the first place, problem solved! This is something Gordon Brown should bear in mind as he desperately tries to pass the buck.

Answer 2

No, that is one argument.  Labour, and the Tories are not calling for state funding of political parties.

But if you brought in state funding, all that would happen is that business men would pay for direct advertising and the like instead.  In the last election, I saw posters up by UNISON, a trade union that funds the labour party.

Answer 3

Political parties already get a large amount of public funding.  I take it you mean putting even more public money into their leaky pockets.

The Labour party  was built on corruption. Why is anyone surprised that rich businessman and trade unions are still buying influence with backhanders.  Bribery and violence are the only things the Labour party understand.  The party doesn't represent anybody, so it can't possibly operate honestly.

They have been found out to be buying votes literally where I live, election after election.  As well as stealing ballot papers. They have no shame.  I will never vote for a party which endorses their thugs beating up old age pensioners for not towing the party line.

I want to see politicians knocking on doors and holding public meetings at election time.  Why should we have to pay for wasteful adverts made by their "friends", and staged rallies with a rented audience.  No-one benefits from the idiotic, expensive round the country tours, party leaders go in for.  They are purely for their own ego, they have no electoral value.

Answer 4

NO WAY !

Just a strict limit on their spending and criminal prosecutions for illegal acts (as in the current illegal act)

Bring in the cops !