MPs call time on dark money in donation rules debate

Cross-party members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Elections joined calls on Thursday for the first shake-up of political finance rules since the year 2000. The debate, organised by Lloyd Hatton MP and the APPG on Anti-Corruption & Responsible Tax, saw a dozen MPs calling for tighter rules around reporting loopholes, donation caps, and foreign interference in British democracy.

The Government, represented by Democracy Minister Rushanara Ali, acknowledged that the current rules do not go far enough, stating that: “the Government committed in our manifesto to protect our democracy by strengthening the rules around donations to political parties, including enhanced safeguards against foreign donations. We are considering a series of policy interventions, such as enhanced checks via recipients of donations and tighter controls on donors, including more restrictions around company donations.”

The government is expected to bring forward proposals for reform of Britain’s political system in a whitepaper before the summer parliamentary recess. The APPG for Fair Elections is calling for rule changes to keep dark money and undemocratic influence out of our democracy, including:

• Closing loopholes that allow unaccountable donations via vehicles including unincorporated associations, shell companies or proxy donors.
• Strengthening and restoring the independence of the Electoral Commission.
• Placing a cap on political donations.

The APPG is also calling for the establishment of a National Commission for Electoral Reform to recommend a replacement to First Past the Post, and the introduction of new transparency requirements regarding how social media platforms handle disinformation and other legal but harmful content.