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level: Features of Political Parties {4}

Questions and Answers List

level questions: Features of Political Parties {4}

QuestionAnswer
What are Parties, and what do they aim for?-Parties are Associations of People who have Similar Political Views and want to Promote those views -Parties want Governmental Power at Local, Regional and National Levels. They search for Power -Parties have a Formal Organisation, having Leaders, Activists and Followers -Most have a Membership System
What are the main Functions of a Political Party?-Put Candidates for Office at All Levels. -Spot and Train Political Leaders -Educate Public about Important Political Issues -Make Opportunities for those who want to Participate in Politics -Call the Existing Government to Account -Ultimately, Improve Society
How are Political Parties funded?-Membership Subscriptions -Fundraising Events like Fetes, Festivals and Dinners -Donations -Loans from Banks or Wealthy People -Self-Financing from Candidates.
What is the Electoral Commission & Short Money-The Electoral Commission allows up to £2 Million per Party Available from Grants -Short Money gives Funds to Parties for Research, dependent on Size
Under the current Regulation, how much can -Parties spend on a Candidate in a Constituency -What is the Minimum Amount that has to be Declared -Rules on Donations that comes from Outside the UK (EX)-The first one is Influenced by how many Registered Votes in that Area. 2019 Election saw around £10K - £30K per Constituency -The Second one: £500 if it comes from an Individual, and £7500 if it comes from a Company or TU. During an Election Period, Parties and Candidates must report Donations & Loans worth £1500 more to the Electoral Commission -The Third one: Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act [PPERA] led to Parties not being able to accept Donations from Foreign Nationals, Foreign Companies or Foreign Governments
What are the Proposals for changing how Party Funding works?-Impose Restrictions of the Size of Individual Donations to Parties [Currently £500] [Donors can give to Many Individual Donors?] -Make Tight Regulation on how much Parties can Spend -Restrict Donations to Individuals [Limited Donations and Wealthy more Influential?] -Replace all Funding with State grants for Parties, paid via the General Taxation
What are the Arguments for State Funding? [Cash for Honours & Firm's Hidden Influence] (EX)-End the 'Cash for Honours' where Donors give Money in hopes of being Granted an Honour, or Access to Decision Making. Eg: Lubov Chernukhin [Tory Donor] gave £1.7 Million, and enjoyed Personal Meetings with Numerous Conservative Leaders. [Husband is Close with Putin so] -End the chance of Hidden Influence via Funding. Firms and Organisations deny such Claim. Eg: £1 Mil came from Formula 1 Boss Bernie Ecclestone before 1997 Election led to Labour banning Tobacco Advertising once it had Won [Labour initially Exempted this Sport]
What are the Arguments for State Funding? [Playing Level Field and Democracy] (EX)-Reduce the Financial Advantage that the Big Parties Get, and allows Small Parties - Often they take out Loans which can lead to their Long-Term viability in Question -Improve Democracy by ensuring Wider Participation from Groups that don't have a Ready Source of Funding.
What are the Arguments that goes Against State Funding? (EX)-Taxpayers may not Fund what may be 'Private Organisations' and argue Other, more Better usage of Taxpayers Money -How should the Funding be Dished out. Basing on Past Performance gives Home Advantage to Big Parties. Or on Future Aspirations, which is quite Unknown? 2007 Phillips Report called for a 'pence-per-voter' Formula, which would only Benefit the 2 Main Parties that got the Most Votes. -Parties may lose Independence and become Organs of the State [If Funded by Gov, then they may be Less Reluctant?] [Public Scepticism if Taxpayer isn't Happy with that Party getting Money] -Lead to Lots of Regulation regarding Parties. Eg: PPERA 2000 already dishes out a Tough Environment on Party Spending and other Elections. More Regulation may make it Harder to Campaign