Online Questions & Answers with Hayden Phillips on party funding

What's in it for us?

Posted by Slim Jim on October 30th 2006

We are currently experiencing the highest levels of taxation in our history. If party funding goes ahead, what possible benefits will the taxpayer see? Unless this proposal is accompanied by much-needed political and democratic reform, it will be seen as just another stealth tax, will it not? We need greater accountability, not more taxation (without representation!).

This question is now closed.

'Third, if I recommend more

Posted by Slim Jim on 30/10/2006 - 14:34

'Third, if I recommend more public funds for parties, that will not only require greater accountability and transparency but also place an even clearer obligation on them to engage better with the electorate. It is this part of political and democratic reform to use your own words, with which my review is engaged.'

Sir Hayden, it is this proposal that I am interested in. I am glad that you agree that more accountability and transparency are needed, but how exactly can that be facilitated? After all, the people with the power to make changes are unlikely to make themselves MORE accountable, when they've been doing the opposite for a number of years!

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