Political opinion with John Milne MP: How easy is it to buy political influence in Britain?

The time has come for a major reform of the way political parties are funded. The Representation of the People Bill, currently in Parliament, is a start. But even then it will remain too easy to buy hidden political influence at the very top of British politics. We’re defenceless against hostile foreign states such as Russia, powerful industries such as social media companies, and even wealthy individuals.

Last week Channel 4 broadcast astonishing footage of Reform party aides apparently speaking to a potential US donor on how to avoid UK electoral law. In reality, the alleged donors were actors in a sting operation, but Reform didn’t know that. The footage appeared to suggest one simple solution to get round restrictions on foreign donations was for the money to be routed through the account of a UK citizen. After the broadcast a Reform UK spokesman said the party had 'a robust vetting process for prospective donors approved by the Electoral Commission’.

That’s pathetically easy to do.

It matters greatly because foreign intervention in UK politics is dramatically on the rise. We’re exposed because state support for parties in the UK is extremely modest. The sums are dwarfed by private donations, and that makes them hugely influential.

It’s a system which has long favoured the Conservatives. They have benefited from large private sector donations from property developers and the fossil fuel industry, among others. But Labour are also highly supported by trade unions.

Is it a coincidence that the two parties who have dominated British politics for the past 100 years also have the best funding? Do we really believe that money doesn’t buy influence? If we look at the way parties actually behave in government, it reflects their donor base.

My own party, the Liberal Democrats, must rely on free volunteers instead of a chequebook. This does encourage strong local networking, and that’s great. But it’s very far from a fair contest nationally.

The advent of cryptocurrency makes it even harder to move money in unseen ways. Reform has promised to relax rules for the crypto industry in a way which will hugely boost their profits. Has that really got nothing to do with all the donations?

Labour’s new Bill will tighten donation caps and insist on donors’ UK residency. But even if rulebreakers are caught, the sanctions are pathetically small. That’s why I say the time has come for state funding of parties. It’s the only way to stop the outright purchase of influence at the highest level in politics.