[internetguru]

Political party donation cap

This petition...

Demands that a cap of £1000 over every 5 year cycle be placed on all individuals and companies to political parties. This is necesary to reduce the influence of money in politics which has done so much to destroy democracy in other countries.

[stanlas]

Its a no from me.

Obviously, I understand the general anti-political sentiment following the expenses scandal, etc. However, far from helpng democracy, this petition would probably damage it. Why? Because put simply, we need parties to have a democracy. And parties need money to survive- a 1000 cap over 5 years per person/company would ruin many parties (including smaller ones like the Greens, which often depend on philanthropic donations for sympathetic rich people or companies). If a cap is introduced, then the state should start paying parties money directly from its own budget.

Personally, I would much rather abolish a cap on donations and instead tax them at an ever-increasing rate

[Rakas21]

The political system will still remain corrupt regardless due to lobbying and what a normal person would call bribes (politicians of course do not).

I will abstain.

[Rhadamanthus]

No, and enough with the petitions ffs.

[toronto353]

No. You're really abusing the system now. Petitions were really intended to get new members involved and not for you to spam the forum. Join a party, get involved, but stop posting petition after petition.

[Inverse]

It's always internetguru....

[internetguru]

(Original post by stanlas)
Its a no from me.

Obviously, I understand the general anti-political sentiment following the expenses scandal, etc. However, far from helpng democracy, this petition would probably damage it. Why? Because put simply, we need parties to have a democracy. And parties need money to survive- a 1000 cap over 5 years per person/company would ruin many parties (including smaller ones like the Greens, which often depend on philanthropic donations for sympathetic rich people or companies). If a cap is introduced, then the state should start paying parties money directly from its own budget.

Personally, I would much rather abolish a cap on donations and instead tax them at an ever-increasing rate

I assure you when involved in the Green Party before metrobeans shut us down we did not receive any donations.

[internetguru]

(Original post by Rakas21)
The political system will still remain corrupt regardless due to lobbying and what a normal person would call bribes (politicians of course do not).

I will abstain.

I will be producing a petition to end lobbying and bribes as well this is just part 1.

[internetguru]

(Original post by toronto353)
No. You're really abusing the system now. Petitions were really intended to get new members involved and not for you to spam the forum. Join a party, get involved, but stop posting petition after petition.

No party will me join and i'm not allowed to make my own party.

[internetguru]

(Original post by Rhadamanthus)
No, and enough with the petitions ffs.

Oh I'm sorry some of us actually post stuff instead of just sitting there posting nothing and criticising others.

[barnetlad]

I think the limit should be 99p, except where candidates busk or show off a unique performing talent in licensed premises.

[tehFrance]

Hell no, we rely on donations to fund our drugs and whores

Also someone mentions bribes, I have personally never accepted bribes, gifts yes, bribes no

[toronto353]

(Original post by internetguru)
No party will me join and i'm not allowed to make my own party.

If you tried to change your image and your attitude, I bet a party would let you be a member.

[internetguru]

(Original post by toronto353)
If you tried to change your image and your attitude, I bet a party would let you be a member.

And how long would that take? Months if not years plus I do not share the same views as any of the current parties.

[Rhadamanthus]

(Original post by internetguru)
Oh I'm sorry some of us actually post stuff instead of just sitting there posting nothing and criticising others.

And therein lies the difference between us: I don't care about 'doing stuff'.

[internetguru]

(Original post by Rhadamanthus)
And therein lies the difference between us: I don't care about 'doing stuff'.

Then why join MHoC the whole point is you do stuff and debate.

[Rhadamanthus]

(Original post by internetguru)
Then why join MHoC the whole point is you do stuff and debate.

I debate the merits of not doing stuff.

[RoryS]

(Original post by toronto353)
No. You're really abusing the system now. Petitions were really intended to get new members involved and not for you to spam the forum. Join a party, get involved, but stop posting petition after petition.

This.

A no from me.

[Mazzini]

(Original post by stanlas)
(including smaller ones like the Greens, which often depend on philanthropic donations for sympathetic rich people or companies).

Well that's awkward.

[Leon Trotsky]

I think giving political parties public funding would probably be better than a cap on donations, but I'm not sure how we'd go about implementing it fairly. As long as we never get the equivalent of Super PACs in the UK though, I think we'll be fine.