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Party funding views 'divergent' | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The main political parties' views on future funding rules remain "divergent" according to the man seeking to find agreement on changes to the system. | |
Sir Hayden Phillips has put Labour's proposal, of a £15m a year spending cap, to the other parties. | |
The Conservatives' position has also been put to other parties. | |
Sir Hayden's spokesman said they were seeking "an agreement, if possible by the end of January, in a situation where views remain divergent". | |
The spokesman said: "His own judgment on this issue will be made clear in the final report." | |
The Labour plan would allow parties to set their own rules for donations - allowing its links with unions to remain. | |
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Commons leader Jack Straw met Sir Hayden on Tuesday to discuss the plan, the BBC understands. | |
Limits | |
But the proposals have so far been rejected by the Conservatives. | But the proposals have so far been rejected by the Conservatives. |
The Tories have called for a large increase in state funding for all parties with more than two Commons seats, a cap of £50,000 on all donations, the phasing out of corporate donations - including from trade unions, and tax relief for donations. | |
Sir Hayden Phillips was asked by Tony Blair to examine whether agreement could be reached over changes to party funding. | |
It followed allegations, denied by all concerned, that honours have been given to people in return for people lending money to political parties. | |
An earlier memorandum from Sir Hayden, seen by the BBC last month, suggested a £500,000 limit on donations from organisations - including trade unions - falling to £50,000 in four years. | |
That plan got an angry reception within the Labour Party because of its impact on funding from unions. | |
Political parties spend much less than £15m in an average year but spending shoots up far beyond that during election years. | Political parties spend much less than £15m in an average year but spending shoots up far beyond that during election years. |
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