Francis Maude made it clear in March…
David Cameron has made it clear again tonight…
The Conservative Party will not agree to any increase in state funding for political parties unless Labour agrees to a cap on the donations it receives from trade unions.
In a letter to Mr Brown, the Tory leader has requested an urgent clarification on Labour’s intentions:
"There is no case for additional state funding for political parties without fundamental reform. The package currently proposed in these talks does not amount to the fundamental reform that is needed. In these circumstances I cannot and will not support any increase in state funding for political parties… A comprehensive cap on donations to political parties is essential. All common sense requires that to win public trust, no individual or body can remain exempt. The cap must apply to trade union donations, whether directly or through affiliation fees."
Mr Cameron has agreed that there could be an extended transitional period to allow Labour to adjust to a world without union funding, but he is now hardening the Conservative position. This will be a popular stance amongst the Conservative rank-and-file. A ConservativeHome survey from May last year found that 81% opposed the idea that "a major proportion of funding for political parties should come from the state."
Mr Brown meanwhile is considering new legislation that would control spending between elections. Labour MPs in marginal seats are anxious about the effect of Lord Ashcroft’s target seats fund which is helping the Tory candidates attempting to oust them.
Earlier this week, in an article for The Telegraph, Michael Ashcroft defended his position:
11am, 21 October: The Observer on Geoff Hoon’s support for caps on Lord Ashcroft’s donations.