Member

If we are serious about restoring trust, we cannot dodge the question of money in politics. That is why I welcome Government new clause 72, and dealing with the flood of money beyond what is reasonable for election costs. I say that as someone who has never been on the receiving end of those amounts of money, but this is not just out of jealousy; it is about how such money gets to the candidate. I associate myself with the words of my right hon. Friend the Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) who pointed out that the only benefit of crypto is that people can hide. There is simply no reason for it other than that the source can be hidden, which again corrodes trust in democracy. Our elections have to be fought, not bought.