DEMOCRACY SHOULD BE ABOUT IDEAS AND VALUES NOT THE SIZE OF YOUR BANK BALANCE

The Government has changed the law on election spending, increasing election spending limits by £6.2 million - £3.2 million more than the increase recommended by the independent Electoral Commission.

This change in the law is likely to help the Conservatives in the forthcoming general election, as they are the only party currently in a position to take advantage of an increase in spending limits of this size.

They have failed to deliver on their promises to balance the nation’s books and failed to help people to balance theirs. Their policies have impoverished millions while creating record numbers of millionaires. To add insult to injury they’ve also cut tax liabilities for the growing ranks of millionaires while introducing the bedroom tax on Britain’s poorest households.

But they want to go even further. The Tories want to cut the state back to the level it was in the 1930s and now we know they want to buy an election they don’t deserve to win.

This is a party flush with big money backers but without the empathy or ideas the country needs so they are rigging the rules of our democracy in their favour.

This additional spending could potentially see the Tories flood their key seats with millions more leaflets, postcards and other campaign material.

This change in the law comes as the Conservatives are receiving huge sums from an exclusive network backers, including hedge funds, big city interests and secretive supper clubs. Analysis reveals that:
• Hedge funds are bankrolling the Tory Party: they have given the Tories £52 million in total.
• Since the election the Tories have received £6m from secretive Unincorporated Associations, which are clubs that don’t have to declare all their donations.
• The Tories are increasingly funnelling cash to target constituencies: they have raised £2.6 million for key seats since 2010, 60% of which has gone to defensive seats.
This is an indication as to why solidarity is so important in the face of these overwhelming financial odds.

It is imperative that people who believe in progressive policies and social justice get behind the Labour Party to defeat the forces of conservatism. If we fail, the consequences for our country will be dire.