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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Straw set to curb party spending | Straw set to curb party spending |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Justice Secretary Jack Straw is unveiling plans to "end the arms race" in election spending by placing a cap on funding during campaigns. | |
| The move is likely to be seen as an attempt to limit the influence of major donors, such as the wealthy Conservative backer Lord Ashcroft. | The move is likely to be seen as an attempt to limit the influence of major donors, such as the wealthy Conservative backer Lord Ashcroft. |
| It follows Sir Hayden Phillips' inquiry into the future of party funding following the cash-for-honours row. | It follows Sir Hayden Phillips' inquiry into the future of party funding following the cash-for-honours row. |
| Mr Straw is outlining the proposals in a statement to MPs. | |
| The curbs, contained in a white paper, are likely to limit the influence of major cash donors in bankrolling constituencies throughout the rest of a parliament. | The curbs, contained in a white paper, are likely to limit the influence of major cash donors in bankrolling constituencies throughout the rest of a parliament. |
| Talks break down | Talks break down |
| Union donations may also be included in the spending limits, which is likely to prove unpopular with Labour backbenchers. | Union donations may also be included in the spending limits, which is likely to prove unpopular with Labour backbenchers. |
| However, the level of the likely cap is not expected to be published in the white paper. | However, the level of the likely cap is not expected to be published in the white paper. |
| The proposals follow 18 months of cross-party talks which stalled in October, amid failure to agree on a raft of recommendations in a review of party funding by Sir Hayden, a former civil servant. | The proposals follow 18 months of cross-party talks which stalled in October, amid failure to agree on a raft of recommendations in a review of party funding by Sir Hayden, a former civil servant. |
| The Tories said trade union donations should be included within a limit on donations while Labour wanted an end to the use of Lord Ashcroft's millions being targeted on marginal seats. | The Tories said trade union donations should be included within a limit on donations while Labour wanted an end to the use of Lord Ashcroft's millions being targeted on marginal seats. |
| In December, Prime Minister Gordon Brown pledged to push through the reforms, following revelations that gifts of more than £650,000 had been given to Labour by businessman David Abrahams using proxy donors. | In December, Prime Minister Gordon Brown pledged to push through the reforms, following revelations that gifts of more than £650,000 had been given to Labour by businessman David Abrahams using proxy donors. |
| Mr Brown said Sir Hayden's proposals, which include a £50,000 cap on individual donations, provided a comprehensive framework for reform. | Mr Brown said Sir Hayden's proposals, which include a £50,000 cap on individual donations, provided a comprehensive framework for reform. |
| He stressed everything was up for negotiation, including a possible extension of public funding - although he acknowledged that was likely to be controversial with voters. | He stressed everything was up for negotiation, including a possible extension of public funding - although he acknowledged that was likely to be controversial with voters. |