Voters wrong on party funding - Davies

Chris Davies

A Rochdale Euro-MP has called for state funding of political parties following claims that business interests are able to buy access to political leaders.

Opinion polls suggest that a majority of the public are opposed to the principle of state funding for political parties, but Liberal Democrat Chris Davies says that the voters are wrong.

Mr Davies said: "Democracy comes at a price, and too often it is being paid by those who serve the interests of big business or powerful trade unions.

"There should be limits on what political parties can spend, and limits too on the donations that can be paid by any individual or organisation, but the costs of research and communication still have to be met.

"The few millions it would cost to keep our parties out of the reach of special interests would be a small price to pay for keeping democracy decent and keeping at bay the stench of corrupt political practices."