Reforming Party Funding

Public Seminars 2010-11

Prof Justin Fisher (Brunel University)

Date: Wednesday 6 July, 6.00pm
Venue: Council Room, The Constitution Unit

The Coalition has promised to 'pursue a detailed agreement on limiting donations and reforming party funding in order to remove big money from politics'. Specifically, the Government wants to eliminate the reliance of political parties on wealthy donors by increasing the availability of public grants. In July, the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) announced that it will hold an inquiry into political party finance with the aim of publishing a report in late spring 2011. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said that inter-party talks on the issue will be held after the CSPL has reported. Professor Justin Fisher discussed the reform options that are available and the challenges in reaching an all party consensus.   

See Prof Fisher's presentation slides.

• Read more on the website of the Committee on Standards in Public Life
• Polly Curtis, 'Nick Clegg announces cross-party talks on funding', Guardian (9 September 2010)
• The Magna Carta Institute