โ The Mandelson-Epstein emails again highlighted how the UK's lobbying transparency regime is woefully inadequate.
Poor transparency allows well-connected individuals and companies with deep pockets to influence decisions that should be made in the public interest.
More below โคต
Last chance to grab a ticket to hear us discuss whatโs to be done about dirty money, in Whitehall tomorrow evening:
Watch the full video โคต๏ธ
youtu.be/U6qOcnAILHM
Ten years since the Panama Papers today so figured a good chance to do my first foray into something a bit longer (not too long, promise! ๐).
It was a huge moment in the fight against corruption so do give it a watch and let me know what you think!
๐ฅ 10 years ago, the Panama Papers exposed corruption to the world.
It uncovered billions of suspect funds moving through the global economy and how corrupt elites were hiding their stolen wealth.
Since then, progress has been made but the flow of dirty money remains.
๐Full link in comments โคต๏ธ
๐ท DONATION CAPS NEEDED
Mega donations buy influence, honours, and access to power. It erodes public trust and empowers the super rich.
Off the back of the Rycroft Review & the Elections Bill, MPs are becoming louder on the threat this poses to our politics.
โฑ๏ธ It's time to put an end to it.
๐จGov announces a moratorium on crypto donations and donation caps on overseas voters
These are two positive steps for our democracy.
But as Steve Goodrich highlights, "big money from a UK-based mega-donor poses the same risk to the integrity of our politics as from one based overseas".
More โคต๏ธ
๐The share of private political donations from individuals and companies giving ยฃ1m+ has surged from just 1% in 2015 to 35% in 2024.
That's a 35x increase in under a decade and fuels corruption risks and foreign interference in UK politics.
๐ท It's time to end the era of big money in UK politics.
Great article, greatest game โค๏ธ
(just donโt ask about my beloved wests tigers ๐
)
๐บ Donation caps needed to protect our politics
Yesterday @duncanhames.bsky.social made the case to Parliament on why it's time for a donation cap.
Watch below to hear how donation caps are widely used globally and would not stop political parties campaigning effectively โคต๏ธ
Great to see former PM John Major again backing capping political donations!
๐ทCommittee stage today for the Rep. of the Peoples Bill
Absolutely crucial we call time on money buying influence and access to power
More โคต๏ธ
My bad ๐๐๐
๐ฌTHE MONEY BEHIND OUR POLITICS
Almost ยฃ100 million was spent at the previous election, but where does all that money actually come from?
Watch @rosewhiff.bsky.social answer this question and explain why it is such a threat to our democracy.
More below โคต๏ธ
๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
๐จ PM tasks the Ethics & Integrity Commission with reforming lobbying rules.
While this is welcome, the Committee on Standards in Public Life has already made recommendations that have gathered dust.
โ๏ธ The UK needs real change and not just another exercise responding to the most recent scandal.
cherry blossom in holloway
๐จ ๐ ๐ช๐ถ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ ๐จ
Four years after the independence of the Electoral Commission was curtailed, the Government has listened & will end Ministers' ability to influence our elections watchdog.
๐ This is a significant & welcome step in protecting our elections from interference.
Yep, working perfectly now, thank you!
Purely an editorial decision on my behalf! Stuck to the two major parties due to timing.
Have included a few Lib Dems in the video I posted today who support ending mega donations.
Thereโs already numerous MPs that want to end big money in politics.
Do let me know if Iโve missed any though!
๐
"In 2015, only 1 per cent of private donations came from companies and individuals giving ยฃ1 million or more; by 2024, this had risen to ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฑ."
New research from @rosewhiff.bsky.social & @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social on the super rich's growing influence on UK politics.
More โคต๏ธ
*Love* this video from @transparencyuk.bsky.social - what a compelling case for taking big money out of politics.
And who is that devilishly handsome Irish chap talking such sense in Parliament half way through ๐คฃ
Long time user of Bsky Hub! Great site.
Having troubled accessing the data the past few days though? Wondering if it is on my side or the website is down currently?
Thanks!
Great to be at the @tipsnetwork.bsky.social event this evening to talk about the corrupting influence of big money in UK politics.
Stellar cast of @duncanhames.bsky.social @kamilakingstone.bsky.social @tpgroberts.bsky.social @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk @anouschka-r.bsky.social
Moved from policy to digital comms a few weeks ago.
First drop in the new gig!
Enjoy ๐
It remains stunning, that throughout all of this, the Royal Family have never confirmed who exactly paid for the payoff nor why, exactly, they stripped Andrew of his titles. Parliament hasnโt thought to ask either.
Old job New job
๐ค
Horrific scenes of racism, again.
Absolute full respect and admiration to Vinicius Jnr.
