George MonbiotMar 25
Why should any political donations other than a standard annual party membership fee (say £25) be permitted? All other options allow wealthy people disproportionate political influence.
Show threadDan HattonMar 25

@georgemonbiot.bsky.social

I sympathise with the sentiment, but: this would give a largeish party of 100000 members a budget of £2.5 million per year. Let's say in a typical year there are public elections of some variety in areas containing 10 million households. I think a political party can reasonably expect to be allowed to deliver an election-address leaflet to every household. That gives them 25p per leaflet to get them printed. I'm not convinced that's feasible.

Show threadIsabel RuffellMar 25

@only_ohm @georgemonbiot.bsky.social

One issue is that membership fees can vary and that can be distorting too. Better to set a combined cap for individual contributions. The govt could fund a FREEPOST printing of a set size, as well as delivery which it currently provides. .

A lot of the money, though, goes on online ads; there is a huge regulatory hole in that space generally.

Show threadTim Ward ⭐🇪🇺🔶 #FBPE
@iaruffell @only_ohm @georgemonbiot.bsky.social The FREEPOST is not available for most elections, only for general elections.
Mar 26 at 5:14pmWeb
Show threadIsabel Ruffell3d ago

@TimWardCam @only_ohm @georgemonbiot.bsky.social
and devolved elections: in Scotland, you can have both a constituency and regional Freepost, if standing.

It was also available for the European elections when that applied.

It is not available for locals.

Deposits vary too.