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Holyrood election spending soars Holyrood election spending soars
(10 minutes later)
The SNP spent more fighting the Holyrood election than any other political party, new figures show.The SNP spent more fighting the Holyrood election than any other political party, new figures show.
Alex Salmond's victory cost the Nationalists nearly £1.4m - almost triple the party's war chest in 2003 and £300,000 more than Labour spent.Alex Salmond's victory cost the Nationalists nearly £1.4m - almost triple the party's war chest in 2003 and £300,000 more than Labour spent.
The Liberal Democrats spent only £300,000 on its campaign, and the Scottish Conservatives £600,000.The Liberal Democrats spent only £300,000 on its campaign, and the Scottish Conservatives £600,000.
Limits on how much parties could spend were introduced before the 2003 Scottish Elections.Limits on how much parties could spend were introduced before the 2003 Scottish Elections.
The SNP campaign, which saw it pip Labour by just one seat in the May election, was helped by big donations from business leaders including Stagecoach tycoon Brian Souter and Kwik Fit founder Sir Tom Farmer. The SNP campaign, which saw it pip Labour by just one seat in the May election, was helped by big donations from business leaders including Stagecoach tycoon Brian Souter and Kwik-Fit founder Sir Tom Farmer.
The information released today on campaign spending is an important part of ensuring full transparency in the democratic process Andy O'NeillElectoral Commission The figures in detailThe information released today on campaign spending is an important part of ensuring full transparency in the democratic process Andy O'NeillElectoral Commission The figures in detail
Figures released by the Electoral Commission showed the SNP spent £1,383,462 compared to only £473,107 four years ago.Figures released by the Electoral Commission showed the SNP spent £1,383,462 compared to only £473,107 four years ago.
The sum represented the largest amount of money the party has ever spent on a national election.The sum represented the largest amount of money the party has ever spent on a national election.
Spending by the other three main parties also soared, with Labour's total increasing from £726,702 in 2003 to £1,102,866 this year.Spending by the other three main parties also soared, with Labour's total increasing from £726,702 in 2003 to £1,102,866 this year.
Both the Tories and Lib Dems more than doubled the amount they spent on their campaigns.Both the Tories and Lib Dems more than doubled the amount they spent on their campaigns.
See what the main parties spentSee what the main parties spent
Overall, the four parties spend £3.4m between them, including spending by regional list candidates.Overall, the four parties spend £3.4m between them, including spending by regional list candidates.
About two thirds of that went on unsolicited material to electors and advertising.About two thirds of that went on unsolicited material to electors and advertising.
The biggest spenders among the smaller parties were the Christian Party at £178,000 and Scottish Voice, founded by millionaire businessman Archie Stirling, which spent £187,000.The biggest spenders among the smaller parties were the Christian Party at £178,000 and Scottish Voice, founded by millionaire businessman Archie Stirling, which spent £187,000.
The Scottish Greens' campaign cost them £108,000, while independent MSP Margo MacDonald spent £22,000.The Scottish Greens' campaign cost them £108,000, while independent MSP Margo MacDonald spent £22,000.
Andy O'Neill, head of the Electoral Commission office in Scotland, said it was now scrutinising the returns submitted by parties and cross-checking them against information gathered through monitoring of campaign activity.Andy O'Neill, head of the Electoral Commission office in Scotland, said it was now scrutinising the returns submitted by parties and cross-checking them against information gathered through monitoring of campaign activity.
Number of candidatesNumber of candidates
He added: "The information released today on campaign spending is an important part of ensuring full transparency in the democratic process in Scotland.He added: "The information released today on campaign spending is an important part of ensuring full transparency in the democratic process in Scotland.
"These figures allow the voting public to see not just how much money parties spent on campaigning, but also what they spent it on."These figures allow the voting public to see not just how much money parties spent on campaigning, but also what they spent it on.
"The figures show that spending among the large parties has increased dramatically in comparison to 2003 and that Scottish Labour and Scottish National Party expenditure is now close to the statutory limit.""The figures show that spending among the large parties has increased dramatically in comparison to 2003 and that Scottish Labour and Scottish National Party expenditure is now close to the statutory limit."
In the parties' returns to the commission, all spending must be allocated against one of the eight categories laid down in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.In the parties' returns to the commission, all spending must be allocated against one of the eight categories laid down in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
Spending was limited to a figure based on the number of candidates fielded by the party.Spending was limited to a figure based on the number of candidates fielded by the party.
MAY 2007 ELECTION SPENDING PARTY SPENDING LIMIT (£) TOTAL SPENT (£) Scottish Cons 1,516,000 601,983 Scottish Greens 652,000 108,162 Scottish Labour 1,462,000 1,102,866 Scottish Lib Dems 1,516,000 303,740 SNP 1,516,000 1,383,462 Source: Electoral CommissionMAY 2007 ELECTION SPENDING PARTY SPENDING LIMIT (£) TOTAL SPENT (£) Scottish Cons 1,516,000 601,983 Scottish Greens 652,000 108,162 Scottish Labour 1,462,000 1,102,866 Scottish Lib Dems 1,516,000 303,740 SNP 1,516,000 1,383,462 Source: Electoral Commission