Cash for Politics
While I''ve not been blogging recently, much of my time has been taken up with producing , a Radio 4 documentary about party political funding. Presented by Nick Robinson, the programme explores wider issues surrounding the recent scandals, such as why parties find it difficult to raise money without getting into trouble and whether that might change in the future. It was broadcast this morning, but you can listen online via the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s 'listen again' facility.
And it does have a freedom of information angle. Some of those we interviewed are concerned that making details of party donations public has caused more problems than it solved. They think that rather than reducing the public perception of sleaze, transparency has fostered it by allowing the media to publish innuendo about large party donors. And some fear that increasing state funding of parties would exacerbate this problem - because more public money would have to be accompanied by greater oversight and scrutiny, more attempts by parties to exploit loophols in the rules, and that in turn would mean more 'scandals', whether real or manufactured.
I plan to return to blogging after the new year.
A 
°ä´Ç³¾³¾±ð²Ô³Ù²õÌýÌý Post your comment
Labour has problem raising money because all it's membership have left, if I wanted a Tory party I'd have joined the Tories. I voted Labour to have a Labour party but Blair and Brown decided Thatcher was the taste of the year.
I cannot believe Labour has dropped down so low so many lies some so serious about Iraq.
I have left Labour after well, to many years to remember, I might well vote again, but Labour will never be on of them.
Quote " Some of those we interviewed are concerned that making details of party donations public has caused more problems than it solved." Unquote
Ah please spare me, Martin.
It is called honesty in politics
2008. Mel Gibson in that awful portrayal of a Scot said it best. Freedom!
The next bit about "of Information Act" he must have just muttered in that Aussie/Yank accent he has due to upbringing. That was a Lethal Weapon to understandability.
--------------------------------------- Subject: president without moral authority
No Freedom in Kenya allegedly.
Anagram: Stern authority twit hide Moor Paul
Martin,
"Broke Britain" screams a headline today and excusing what the same letters can be turned into - I have given up on Britain - for the umpteenth time.
What a sad little country it has become and may have been for some years. Loyal spectacles worn perhaps. It still has the temerity to criticise other nations still for their doings.
Yes, Kenya, Iraq, Pakistan etc have real problems and I grieve for those who are murdered and bereaved.
However this country is showing so much stupidity in one matter over so little. And in whose name? I feel ashamed.
Subject: Burning issue of what men really want
Anagram: Yes Greenman, wishful - Tout Bar Inn, Law
Law? No, Martin. A dictatorship.