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Steve Goodrich

@stevejgoodrich.bsky.social
919 followers 623 following 255 posts

Head of Research and Investigations at Transparency International UK. Formerly at Electoral Commission. Following the money.

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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
🚨Louise Haigh agrees that mega donors with outsized influence are pernicious to democracy Yesterday at @ippr.org, Harry Quilter-Pinner rightly pointed out that big money corrupts UK politics regardless of where the money comes from. It's time for the Government to cap donations. Watch below ⤵️
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
🎬RETURNING STOLEN MONEY Millions of pounds of assets linked to corruption has been seized & recovered by UK authorities - so why hasn't it been returned to its victims? Our new research, Closing the Loop, identifies £64m of seized assets stuck in a policy grey area. Watch to learn more ⤵️
youtube.com
Stolen. Laundered. Recovered. Kept? Inside the UK's Asset Return Problem
YouTube video by Transparency International UK
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Gordon Brown adds his name to the growing list of former PMs and senior ministers calling for a cap on political donations, and reminds us that these proposals aren't new - it's just the context that's made everyone wake up again www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Big-money donations poison British politics. We can stop the mega-rich buying access and influence | Gordon Brown
I’ve seen how imbalances in campaign spending can distort democracy. The multi-million-pound gifts to Reform must act as a final wake-up call, says former UK prime minister Gordon Brown
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
BREAKING: 80% of Reform’s funding comes from two crypto billionaires democracyforsale.substack.com/p/breaking-8...
democracyforsale.substack.com
BREAKING: 80% of Reform’s funding comes from two crypto billionaires
“If that isn't a massive corruption risk I don't know what is.”
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
🚨Surge in billionaire money in UK politics hits record high Reports today that two crypto-billionaires have pledged a combined £72million to Reform UK highlight the urgent need for a donations cap. Full statement below ⤵️
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Cat Neilan @catneilan.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Have a feeling ministers are being awoken by the sound of a horse bolting
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Quick poll: how many people out there have £100,000 to donate to a political party every year? Stella Creasy's donation cap amendment is very generous and reasonable. Parl should adopt it ASAP before this gets completely out of hand www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
static.klipy.com
John Travolta Confused: What Huh
ALT: John Travolta Confused: What Huh
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
If the gov's task and finish group on mega donors is looking for a solution, Stella Creasy and @transparencyuk.bsky.social have an amendment oven ready that incl. all the mechanics of a universal donations cap. Nobody should be able to buy our democracy.
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Just going to re-up my previous analysis of the overseas donor cap just in case anyone forgot www.theguardian.com/politics/202... After 10yrs+ of pleading people to cap donations to stop our democracy being bought, the penny might finally have dropped.
theguardian.com
Reform UK given record £36m donation by British crypto billionaire
Ben Delo was convicted in US for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls but pardoned by Trump
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
An outstanding piece of public interest journalism from Verbatim. Senior officials of a political party caught conspiring to facilitate illegal donations - a criminal offence. Another eg of how big money is corrupting politics, why ind media is so crucial, and why parl should cap donations.
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Orr looks particularly stupid here because what he's proposing is a criminal offence and for the police to investigate.
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
🆕 EP3: CAN BRITISH DEMOCRACY BE SAVED? Andy Burnham enters Downing Street inheriting a political funding problem his predecessor promised to tackle and didn't. Three months ago, he even backed a cap on donations himself. The final episode of our series w/ PeterGeoghegan is out now ⤵
youtu.be
Can British Democracy be Saved Before it's too late? | Pt. 3
YouTube video by Transparency International UK
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
1. Fruit is nature's candy 2. I see you've played knifey-spoony before 3. Just don't, just don't look, duh- duh, duh-duh, dum dum, duh-duh, dum 4. I ated the purple berries 5. Duff beer for me, Duff beer for you... Also: Who likes short shorts
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Great summary from Rob Davies @theguardian.com explaining how, a decade on from the Panama Papers, it's still almost impossible to get info on who owns companies in key UK Overseas Territories (esp the BVI). And yes, I am still waiting for a response from Tortola. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
‘A mockery’: how offshore tax havens are thwarting the UK’s transparency push
Critics say ownership registers are too costly and too complicated, scuppering attempts to expose alleged money laundering
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
🚨NEW OUT TODAY🚨 🎬Episode 1 of Going, going, almost gone: How big money is corrupting UK politics. Ft. @duncanhames.bsky.social @catneilan.bsky.social @oliverbullough.bsky.social @faizashaheen.bsky.social @petergeoghegan.bsky.social @suehawley.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn-G...
youtube.com
How big money is corrupting UK politics | Going, Going, Almost Gone, Ep. 1
YouTube video by Transparency International UK
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Cat Neilan @catneilan.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
New: A business that made a six-figure donation to Reform UK received interest-free loans of £67m from unnamed “related companies” in the months before, raising questions about the possible origin of the funds. observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk
Reform given six-figure donation by firm that received £6...
Nigel Farage’s party is facing questions about the lack of transparency over £100,000 in funds donated by a management consultancy
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Anniversaries are seldom fun in my line of work, and this one is no exception: 3yrs since Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu was arrested by the Azerbaijani authorities. We've had four Foreign Secretaries since then. I hope the new one will advocate for his release. www.transparency.org.uk/news/uk-anti...
transparency.org.uk
UK anti-corruption organisations call for release of LSE academic detained in Azerbaijan on anniversary of arrest
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
🎥The Covid Inquiry report exposed the failures of the VIP lane for PPE contracts. Money was wasted and trust was broken in a time of critical need. It is imperative the current Government learns from these mistakes and takes steps to ensure this never happens again.
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Martin Rosenbaum @mrosenbaum.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Your chance to be the new Chair of the incoming Information Commission - apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/9276
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk
Appointment details – Information Commission Chair – Apply for a public appointment – GOV.UK
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
COVID-19 INQUIRY: VIP LANE INCREASED "RISK OF ABUSE" £10 billion of public money was wasted and five years later, nobody has yet been held to account. It's critical the Government learn the lessons from this and go further to guard against the risk of corruption in future emergencies. More ⤵️
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
"Due to a gap in electoral law, Lowe does not have to declare where Restore Britain's £2.5 million startup cash came from." ✍️ @josiahmortimer.bsky.social and @mc00.bsky.social bylinetimes.com/2026/07/10/w...
bylinetimes.com
Who Is Really Bankrolling Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain
Byline Times investigates the figures behind the Elon Musk-backed far-right rival to Nigel Farage's Reform UK
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
A quick reminder that there are yet to be any successful prosecutions under s.61 PPERA, only s.54(7) www.theguardian.com/politics/202... Here's the last, and so far only, prosecution to date www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-engl... Curious to see whether there's sufficient evidence to prove conspiracy.
theguardian.com
Police investigate £500,000 Reform donations from mother of fraudster who backed Farage
George Cottrell’s mother, Fiona, at centre of criminal inquiry over potential evasion of restrictions on donations
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
This is one way we could change the way we do politics for the better. Even the lobbying industry agree, and other countries do this fairly well eg. Germany, Canada, US, Ireland. Over to you ministers... www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
All lobbying should be publicly declared in transparency laws shake-up, watchdog says
Ethics and integrity commission chief says overhaul is crucial to help restore trust in standards
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Stella Creasy MP @stellacreasy.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
No by election can hide the mess sorting out millionaires making of our politics their playground is causing - help close this loophole and ask your MP to co sign NC71 of the representation of the people bill to cap donations. Please share to spread the word!
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
📜Amendments for the Representation of the People Bill your MP should sign-up to👇 - pre-candidacy donation controls (NC60) - permissibility of funds for new parties (NC61) - lower national spending limits (NC70) - universal donations cap (NC71) publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Contrary to what some claim, there is money in politics after all. And that's a big problem we need to confront. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Trump’s $2bn bonanza heralds the rise of political grifters across the west
With voters embracing leaders who brazenly monetise public office, experts say an ethical code is breaking down
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
I agree with @stellacreasy.bsky.social www.instagram.com/reel/DaYH96U...
instagram.com
Instagram
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Gov's overseas voter donor cap is: - overly complicated - designed to target one man and one party - fails to do that effectively - misses the point (that it's big donors generally, not just Harborne that are the problem) Cap all donations and then we're talking! observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk
Crypto billionaires face 12-month block on political dona...
New bill proposes restriction for overseas voters returning to the UK in bid to protect electoral system from potential foreign interference
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
📺Big money is corrupting UK politics. Mega donations are being used by the super rich to get power and influence, too often at the expense of the public interest. We were in Parliament today making the case that it's time for change. More below ⤵️
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Why ministers' pledge to cap only overseas donations was futile, shortsighted and ineffective. Big money is the problem, not just Harborne. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
thetimes.com
Billionaire Reform UK supporter registers to vote in Britain
Christopher Harborne, the British-Thai cryptocurrency billionaire, who gave Nigel Farage a £5m gift, had his name restored to the electoral roll earlier this month
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
🔎 NEW: Almost 1 in 6 peers holds a paid political advisory role that carries a significant lobbying risk. The House of Lords is meant to be a place of independent scrutiny — not a network of political advisers for hire. Our investigation ⤵️ www.transparency.org.uk/news/house-l...
transparency.org.uk
The House of Lords has become a lobbying network for hire
Almost one in six peers holds a political advisory role that presents a significant lobbying risk
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
🚨NEW from @transparencyuk.bsky.social Almost one in six peers holds a political advisory role that presents a significant lobbying risk 🔎 More details and recommendations for change 👇 www.transparency.org.uk/news/house-l...
transparency.org.uk
The House of Lords has become a lobbying network for hire
Almost one in six peers holds a political advisory role that presents a significant lobbying risk
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Most curious bit about this story is the location of Yuan Yihua's Nine Elm properties, directly overlooking the US Embassy www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-t... Perhaps coincidence or reflects his love of glass-bottomed pools.
occrp.org
U.K. Targets $68M in Properties Owned by China-Born Man with Multiple Citizenships
Britain's land registry shows requests for freezing order on luxury properties owned by Yuan Yihua, who holds so-called “golden passports” issued in return for investments in Cyprus, Cambodia and Vanu...
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
This is an important point concerning what seems the most impactful and low cost way for Musk to interfere on our democracy (at least for him) questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques... Who needs to donate $100m in cash when you can rig your own algorithm for free?
questions-statements.parliament.uk
Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
ICYMI FCA ceases activities of electronic payment systems provider, Euro Exchange Securities UK www.fca.org.uk/news/press-r... subject to an appeal hearing on 11 June. @transparencyuk.bsky.social raised concerns about owners of the company back in 2024 www.transparency.org.uk/sites/defaul...
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
🗣️"The lesson from this saga should be that open government in the first place serves the public better than belated dumps of data long after the event." @muteswann.bsky.social in the BBC on revelations Douglas Alexander failed to initially declare a meeting with Global Counsel. More below ⤵
bbc.co.uk
SNP demand probe into Alexander meeting with Mandelson's firm
Newly-released files confirm Douglas Alexander met with Global Counsel in summer 2024 but it was not publicly declared until earlier this year.
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
61% of all political donations in the last quarter came from just 14 people Reform took in £9.3m from a handful of super rich donors British democracy is being bought. We urgently need action to take the money out of our politics
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Some quick thoughts on Q1 2026 donations data from @electoralcommission.org.uk 🧵 HEADLINE STATS Total: £20.7m (excl. public funds) Biggest recipient: Reform £9.3m Biggest donor: Ben Delo £4m to Reform Donors giving £1m+: £9.2m (44%) from 3 donors Donors giving £250k+: £12.7m (61%) from 14 donors
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Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
💷 BIG MONEY CORRUPTS UK DEMOCRACY The last election was the most expensive in modern British history. Too often, it's our politics that pays the price. To stop the super-rich buying UK democracy, we need a cap on all donations - and recent polling finds 92% of the public agree. More ⤵️
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Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Former UK technology secretary Peter Kyle agreed to include “more positive language about artificial intelligence” in a speech last year on the advice of Lord Peter Mandelson, co-founder of an advisory firm that worked for OpenAI and Palantir www.ft.com/content/1b3e...
ft.com
Peter Kyle agreed to include ‘more positive language’ in AI speech after Mandelson’s advice
Documents raise questions since the advisory firm co-founded by Labour veteran represented big AI companies
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
PODCAST | The £5m question: Who funds our politicians? In our latest episode, we are joined by @duncanhames.bsky.social of @transparencyuk.bsky.social to discuss whether the current transparency regime is working and the merits of a cap on donations. www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliam...
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Often we get asked 'why does corruption matter? Isn't it just a Westminster storm in a teacup?' Tell that to these residents of Corby www.common-wealth.org/interactive/... #CleanUpWestminster www.instagram.com/reel/DYmdypj...
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
💷 BIG MONEY CORRUPTS UK POLITICS In 2015, £1m+ donations made up just 1% of private political donations. By 2024? They made up more than a third. Today, it was put straight to the PM: the Election's Bill doesn't go far enough. It’s well past time to cap donations & end big money in politics.
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
The £5 million question: why Britain's political donation rules are broken www.transparency.org.uk/news/ps5-mil...
transparency.org.uk
The £5 million question: why Britain's political donation rules are broken
Nigel Farage's multi-million pound gift exposes a gaping hole in our democracy
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
The Politics Project @politicsproject.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
We're #Hiring! We're looking for an entrepreneurial leader to relaunch and build the next phase of the UK Democracy Network. 👉 UK Democracy Network Director £60-70K ➡️ For more information, and to apply, please see here: thepoliticsproject.org.uk/vacancies-op...
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
EC interpretation of the law in 2024 meant many gifts to politicians pre-dissolution fell into a regulatory black hole, which could incl. the £5m to Nigel Farage. Lloyd Hatton MP is proposing to end the confusion and make it clear they should be on the public record observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk
Furore over Nigel Farage’s £5m stings MPs into action ove...
Backbenchers want to change the law so that any sums received by MPs before July 2024 will have to be declared
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Couldn't help but notice this too.
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
🔴 Nigel Farage is facing questions about why he did not declare his use of a donor’s helicopter to travel around Britain for multiple Reform UK rallies over the past year. New on Democracy for Sale and @theguardian.com democracyforsale.substack.com/p/farage-fac...
democracyforsale.substack.com
Farage faces questions over flights in Reform donor's helicopter
Exclusive: Reform leader under pressure to "show the receipts" after our investigation finds undeclared election campaign flights on helicopter owned by party donor.
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Reposted by Steve Goodrich
Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
🗣️ “Lobbying behind closed doors enables outside interests to influence our politics without public scrutiny.” Rose Zussman in The Guardian following Tom Wall's revelations of 16 previously undeclared meetings between US tech execs & a senior Starmer advidser. More below ⤵️
theguardian.com
Starmer adviser held 16 undisclosed meetings with top US tech bosses
Exclusive: Varun Chandra’s talks with Google, Meta, Apple and others raise fears of ‘lobbying behind closed doors’
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Steve Goodrich @stevejgoodrich.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
A £1m donation cap will not help solve the UK's big money problem, or get much thanks from the public - of which the majority want a cap of £50,000 or less. Surely Parliament can do better than this? www.politicshome.com/news/article...
politicshome.com
Labour MP To Push For Domestic Political Donation Cap
Exclusive: Donations to political parties made by people in the UK would be capped at £1m under plans being drawn up by a Labour MP.
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