Dear John,
For years, more and more money has slowly trickled into our political system. While democracy advocates around the country warned about the consequences, that trickle evolved into a deluge of donor cash.
New figures show that political donations more than doubled in 2023, with the upcoming election set to be the most cash-infused contest we’ve seen in our nation’s history. It may not yet be illegal, but it’s certainly not sustainable.
Particularly in the UK and United States, cold hard cash is the lifeblood of modern elections. The £93,000,000 that found its way to political parties and candidates last year (and the millions more to come) will largely be spent on swaying public opinion with strategic consultants, leaflets, billboards, and digital adverts.
The only quasi-restriction on this influx of cash is official party and candidate spending limits, which will also be higher than ever before since Michael Gove increased party spend limits by 80% last year. Prepare to be bombarded with ads come the autumn, especially if you’re in a swing-seat.
What this all means is that donor cash quite literally buys votes. Today’s surveillance advertising techniques are sophisticated, cheap, and effective. And of course, the donors get something in return.
Our system runs on the naive assumption that these donations are a simple show of support. In reality, they’re investments. It’s no coincidence that the Conservatives received millions in donations from fossil fuel giants and then issued new oil and gas licenses.
We should ask ourselves where this system is headed, especially when both major parties are now taking in record amounts of cash from wealthy individuals and multinational corporations. How will that impact their priorities in government? When push comes to shove, are they listening to their constituents, or their benefactors?
A system where it’s impossible to vote against the interests of the powerful is a democracy-in-name-only. Only 12% of the UK public now say they trust political parties – a record low number internationally – and this is undeniably part of the problem.
Democracy shouldn’t be for sale. Our movement is about bringing it back to real communities, restoring that trust by once again letting regular people into the conversation. Check out recommendations #7 and #8 of our report for our plan to get started.
All the very best,
Mark Kieran
CEO, Open Britain
