State Funding of Political Parties

[The Gaffer]

Should political parties receive funding from the public purse?

As we know, politicians are in hock to those who support them financially. Democracy, and public confidence in politicians, is undermined by the perception that they are flogging political influence in return for cash (or loans, as most recently came to light in the UK).

So, state funding would ensure that they do not have to go cap in hand to whatever corporate interests are willing to buy influence.

http://www.redpepper.org.uk/natarch/...y-funding.html