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The organisation behind FixMyStreet, TheyWorkForYou, WhatDoTheyKnow, WriteToThem — and other empowering online tools.
** What did you tell us about MPs’ gifts?
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** The results are in!
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A bottle of champagne chills in an office environment
Dear friend,
Last week, we asked you to share your feelings about MPs receiving gifts — and you certainly told us what you think.
We promised we’d share the results, so here they are:
* 73.9% say that MPs shouldn’t receive any gifts at all
* 18.4% think that some types of gift should not be allowed
* 7.7% told us it’s ok for MPs to receive gifts, so long as they declare them.
With gifts and donations to MPs dominating the news headlines, and a new call from the Ethics and Integrity commission for all lobbying to be declared, your responses certainly reflect the national mood.
92.3% of you believe there should be a change. And we suspect that even those of you who fall within the remaining 7.7% would like to know that the system for MPs declaring gifts is consistently applied.
That's one of the things we’re pushing for through our WhoFundsThem ([link removed]) project.
** The finer detail
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** We asked:
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“MPs often receive free tickets to expensive and sought-after events such as the Chelsea Flower Show, big pop concerts or high-profile football matches. These come from donors including banks, car manufacturers and the whisky industry.
“Is this a perk of the job for hardworking MPs, or a step too far?”
** How you responded:
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This seems fine: 6%; I don't approve 74.7%; Other (add your thoughts) 19.3%
💬 “I work in financial services and we have to ask permission to accept any gift worth more than £50. Ultimately no-one in any line of work should be given hospitality as no one offers this without expecting something in return. It is subliminal bribery.”
💬 “If the event occurs in the MP’s constituency, there may be a case to attend, but this should only be if there is a benefit to the local community.”
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** We asked:
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“Social media platform X rewards those whose posts get high engagement: top beneficiaries of this are currently Rupert Lowe and Nigel Farage who have earned £54,242.98 and £10,202.78 respectively over the past 12 months.
“Is it right that MPs get higher rewards the more controversial their social media posts?”
** How you responded:
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This seems fine: 3.0%; I don't approve - 87%; Other- 10%
💬 “Average people post all day every day and get nothing: why should they, just because they are in politics? Being an MP isn’t meant to be a fun free ride with bonuses: they are meant to be helping the people and sorting important global issues.”
💬 “MPs have a duty to express their opinions and X is a suitable platform for this duty. However, this shouldn't be rewarded, so any fees should go into the public purse.”
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** We asked:
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“How do you feel about MPs receiving gifts, but then passing them on to a charity?
“Is this a good way to make sure donations yield the most public benefit?”
** How you responded:
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This seems fine - 25.9%; I'd still be against it - 56.5%; other - 17.6%
💬 “This is fine as long as there is a transparent process where gifts are registered and an annual report is available.”
💬 “No. If the MP is serious about the charity, they should encourage a direct donation to be made instead, and not get involved.”
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** We asked:
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“Is it less desirable for MPs to receive gifts from sources such as the oil and gas industry; the gambling industry; or the government of a non-democratic country?”
** How you responded:
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It's no worse and no better - 31.4%; It's worse - 55.5%; other - 13%
💬 “Imagine a Foreign Office minister visits a country as part of a trade negotiation and is given a gift at a welcome event. The gift cannot be refused without causing offence. It could be left on display at the UK embassy in that country. This is different to an MP receiving a gift from their government, eg two business class flights in the run up to them pitching to host the Olympics.”
💬 “This has gone on for centuries and is part of how MPs’ expenses are buffered without becoming a load on tax revenues.”
Thank you to everyone who filled in our survey. And if you haven’t? It’s still open and you can add your thoughts here ([link removed]) .
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** Not just talk
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Through our WhoFundsThem ([link removed]) project, we’re pushing for more transparency around the funding and gifts that politicians receive.
And it’s working! We’re beginning to see the national conversation shift, with a widespread call for a more principled politics.
** Help us work to build better information about money in politics
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Your donations give us time to dig deeply into the register of interests, understand the problems, and act strategically to raise standards of transparency and behaviour across our elected representatives.
Support our work ([link removed])
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