BIG DONATIONS TO POLITICAL PARTIES

Early day motion 156, tabled 8 January 2001 by Martin Linton (Labour). Signed by 17 members.

That this House congratulates the Prime Minister on attracting the support of successful entrepreneurs and disaffected Conservatives who believe that the election of the Conservative Party under the Rt. honourable Member for Richmond (Yorks) would be a disaster for this country; looks forward to the first election in 100 years where the Conservatives will not be able to outspend every other party; nevertheless believes that, however pure the motivation of the present donors, there is always a danger that parties reliant on millionaire funding will feel beholden to their donors, nervous of offending them and anxious not to jeopardise the chance of further donations; and believes that the Government should take the opportunity of ending millionaire funding and putting politics on a level playing field by proposing early in the next Parliament an upper limit of no more than ú100,000 per annum on dividual donations.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Labour/Co-operative 1.