POLITICAL DONATIONS ORIGINATING OVERSEAS

Early day motion 1140, tabled 22 March 2010 by Gordon Prentice (Labour). Signed by 31 members.

That this House notes that in its recent investigation the Electoral Commission satisfied itself that Bearwood Corporate Services carried on some trade in the UK and is registered in the UK and is, therefore, a permissible donor; further notes the Commission's view that there is nothing in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 which requires donations to a political party to be generated from a company's own trading; observes that the millions donated by Bearwood to the Conservative Party did not come from profits generated in the UK from trading but originated overseas; and calls for the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 to be amended to close this loophole.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Liberal Democrat 3, Independent 1.