---

Political Parties and Elections Bill

Unlike almost everyone else speaking here today, I have not had the benefit of labouring in the political kitchen. However, coming from a political stable, I hope that my remarks will not be taken as being too simplistic. At least, coming from this particular area, I shall be impartial. The fact that there is no consensus on this matter is almost certainly down to fear between the parties that one party will gain some advantage over the other. That is something that you would expect a Cross-Bencher to say; nevertheless, it remains true. If I understood the noble Lord, Lord Tyler, correctly, he said that £93 million was spent at the last election. It is time for me to reveal my own credentials. I spent my entire business life in marketing, advertising and public relations. If you are skilful enough, it is comparatively easy to get even the most hard-headed businessman—and, by definition, the most hard-headed party leader—to spend more than they need to. It is almost certainly true that parties spend too much money on elections because they are amateurs and they are being conned by these sorts of people. I believe passionately that there should be some contribution from the public. That is the cost of democracy. However, frankly, the time when that could have been introduced was during the fat years, which have now gone. It should have been brought in during the past 10 years but now we are stuck with whatever we have. Therefore, I think that, whatever may come of this amendment or the deliberations on the Bill, as a matter of urgency we have to get together and agree some sort of limit.