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UK political parties report huge rise in donations UK political parties report huge rise in donations
(6 days later)
A total of £15m was donated to Britain’s political parties between April and June, more than double the sum received in the first quarter of this year.A total of £15m was donated to Britain’s political parties between April and June, more than double the sum received in the first quarter of this year.
Amid speculation of an autumn snap election, parties have significantly bolstered their campaign war chests.Amid speculation of an autumn snap election, parties have significantly bolstered their campaign war chests.
The Electoral Commission said an extra £8m was accepted by 16 parties in the second quarter of this year than between January and March.The Electoral Commission said an extra £8m was accepted by 16 parties in the second quarter of this year than between January and March.
The Conservative party appears to have been buoyed by its change in leader, after Theresa May announced in May that she would be standing down as prime minister.The Conservative party appears to have been buoyed by its change in leader, after Theresa May announced in May that she would be standing down as prime minister.
Her departure triggered a leadership contest that was dominated by her successor, Boris Johnson, and his pledge to deliver Brexit by the 31 October deadline – a promise that appears to have attracted donors.Her departure triggered a leadership contest that was dominated by her successor, Boris Johnson, and his pledge to deliver Brexit by the 31 October deadline – a promise that appears to have attracted donors.
The date on which the Commons returns from summer recess. MPs have backed the motion to allow a debate on a bill tomorrow that would prevent a no-deal Brexit. In return, prime minister Boris Johnson says he will seek to hold an election, and will table a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.
Sajid Javid is expected to start a fast-tracked spending review, promising a cash boost for schools, hospitals and policing. The swift timing of the review comes after his first major speech by the chancellor was abruptly cancelled by the Treasury with less than 24 hours’ notice. Prime minister Boris Johnson has asked the Queen to prorogue parliament during this week. MPs were due to have a recess period anyway for the party conference season. If the prime minister gets his way, instead parliament will be dissolving for an election. 
Prime minister Boris Johnson has asked the Queen to prorogue parliament during this week. MPs were due to have a recess period anyway for the party conference season. However, proroguing parliament will severely limit the time MPs have to legislate against no deal or hold and win a vote of no confidence in the government. 
The Labour and Conservative party conferences are due to be held on consecutive weeks.The Labour and Conservative party conferences are due to be held on consecutive weeks.
This is the date that Johnson is proposing parliament returns for the Queen’s speech setting out a legislation programme for his government. This is the date that Johnson was proposing parliament returns for the Queen’s speech setting out a legislation programme for his government. Alternately, it could end up being the date of a general election.
EU leaders meet for the final European council summit before the UK's extension is due to expire. They could possibly agree a new deal at this point - with just about enough time for Johnson to try and get it through parliament. EU leaders meet for the final European council summit before the UK's extension is due to expire. They could possibly agree a new deal at this point - with just about enough time for Johnson, or whoever is prime minister by then, to try and get it through parliament.
The six-month article 50 extension will expire, and prime minister Boris Johnson has pledged that the UK will leave the EU with or without a deal on that date. The six-month article 50 extension will expire, and current prime minister Boris Johnson has pledged that the UK will leave the EU with or without a deal on that date.
A possible date for a general election if Johnson has been unable to force through his plans, although the date could be sooner if an election is called as a result of the parliamentary showdown between the prime minister and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexitin early September.
The Electoral Commission reported the Conservative and Unionist party received the highest number of donations of the 16 parties to declare their earnings, taking £5,410,957 in the three-month period. Of that, £5,344,058 was given as donations and £67,000 as public funds.The Electoral Commission reported the Conservative and Unionist party received the highest number of donations of the 16 parties to declare their earnings, taking £5,410,957 in the three-month period. Of that, £5,344,058 was given as donations and £67,000 as public funds.
The second highest total was reported by Labour, with Jeremy Corbyn’s party receiving £5m, and £2.9m of public funds accepted as part of the overall sum.The second highest total was reported by Labour, with Jeremy Corbyn’s party receiving £5m, and £2.9m of public funds accepted as part of the overall sum.
The Liberal Democrats received £1.8m, with £1.2m given as donations and £600,000 as public funds. The party pulled off its best-ever local election result in May when it returned 1,359 councillors – half of them gains against rivals.The Liberal Democrats received £1.8m, with £1.2m given as donations and £600,000 as public funds. The party pulled off its best-ever local election result in May when it returned 1,359 councillors – half of them gains against rivals.
Nigel Farage’s fledgling Brexit party received more than £1m in the second quarter, helping it win 29 seats in the European parliament in May, more than any other party contesting the poll.Nigel Farage’s fledgling Brexit party received more than £1m in the second quarter, helping it win 29 seats in the European parliament in May, more than any other party contesting the poll.
The Scottish National party accepted £493,000 in donations, while the Green party, which has a single MP, accepted £174,000. The lowest recorded donation total was £6,000 for the Radical party.The Scottish National party accepted £493,000 in donations, while the Green party, which has a single MP, accepted £174,000. The lowest recorded donation total was £6,000 for the Radical party.
Political parties are required to submit quarterly donation and loan returns to the Electoral Commission. They must report donations accepted above the £7,500 threshold along with impermissible donations.Political parties are required to submit quarterly donation and loan returns to the Electoral Commission. They must report donations accepted above the £7,500 threshold along with impermissible donations.
Louise Edwards, the director of regulation at the commission, said: “Publishing data about party donations and loans on our online database means voters can clearly see where political parties receive their funds from. This leads to a more trusted and transparent political finance system and helps ensure compliance.Louise Edwards, the director of regulation at the commission, said: “Publishing data about party donations and loans on our online database means voters can clearly see where political parties receive their funds from. This leads to a more trusted and transparent political finance system and helps ensure compliance.
“Where parties fail to deliver their return on time, and there is no reasonable explanation for such a failure, we will take a robust approach in dealing with this in line with our enforcement policy.”“Where parties fail to deliver their return on time, and there is no reasonable explanation for such a failure, we will take a robust approach in dealing with this in line with our enforcement policy.”
Party fundingParty funding
LabourLabour
ConservativesConservatives
Liberal DemocratsLiberal Democrats
Scottish National party (SNP)Scottish National party (SNP)
Brexit partyBrexit party
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