Do you agree with how party election campaigns are funded?

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Now we are thick into the political debate, the last week has seen arguments erupting about party funding.

The row started when it emerged in the Guardian and on BBCs Panorama programme that some political donors, including ones who had donated money to the labour party, had bank accounts with the Swiss banking division of HSBC and there was a debate about tax avoidance.

Ed Miliband then talked about “dodgy donors” in the Conservative party and a full scale row about donations and tax avoidance started in the House of Commons and media.

Is it right that the parties obtain donations from individuals, companies and trade unions or would it be a lot simpler if they were all allocated a budget from the public purse to use to promote their political manifestos?

Share your views with us? 

Should political parties obtain their funding from private individuals, companies and trade unions?

481 people have already voted, what's your opinion? Yes No

What are your views?

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djbowden59
6th Nov 2015
0
Thanks for voting!
I believe that political parties should be free to obtain finance support from anyone as long as it does not means they recieve favours in return.
andbrown01
28th Feb 2015
0
Thanks for voting!
BillyH
23rd Feb 2015
2
Thanks for voting!
Totally agree with Baxi and Jaguarjon53 and their comments.
Charles
16th Feb 2015
2
Thanks for voting!
I don't mind where they get their money from just has long as the Tax as being paid on it.
Jaguarjon53
15th Feb 2015
3
Thanks for voting!
The situation in USA shows where we might be going; vested interests become the hidden hand of power which vitiates democracy, such as it is.
There should be a standard amount voted to any party which gained more than 5% at the previous election. No private, corporate or labour donations would be allowed.
Voting should be compulsory with a None Of The Above box on the ballot.
deirdrehewitt53
15th Feb 2015
4
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I think all the parties no matter how small should pay their own way and not rely on others. They are overpaid and so therefore use their own money
countrylass
14th Feb 2015
1
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The main parties have been around a long time and have a lot of funding, newer parties like UKIP don't have anything like as much so in a way are at a disadvantage to cover the constituency with leafleting etc. Nevertheless, we are keen and dedicated and doing our best.
Wilf
14th Feb 2015
2
Thanks for voting!
NO no no! There is enough sleeze in politics in the UK and this just adds to it as politicians are desperate to get more funding and quite frankly don't care where it comes from
Archiebald
13th Feb 2015
4
Thanks for voting!
Its a total fiasco. I am sick of hearing about all the rich donors not paying tax. Trade unions influencing politicians by manipulating payments. Its just nuts that whichever party has more cash can promote themselves. they are all up for bribery and corruption. I say give all the main parties £1m each and thats their budget to sensibly inform the electorate about their manifesto and views. Simple-lets get on with it and clean up their acts. the public is fed up with them all!

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