Conservative Party Funding Arrangements

EDM number 554 in 1995-96, proposed by DN Campbell-Savours on 01/03/1996.

That this House notes the current financial difficulties of the Conservative Party; notes the extraordinary efforts being made the the Conservative Party Board of Treasurers and others to raise sufficient moneys to adequately fund the next general election campaign; notes the reluctance of both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister to reveal the identity of previous current and potential donors whom the Prime Minister will be meeting in Hong Kong; questions whether issues of party funding should be raised during the course of a publicly funded visit; notes the appointment of Mr Leonard Steinberg last year as a member of the Conservative Board of Treasurers and the fact that following publication of the Green Paper on casinos, bingo clubs and advertising of commercial gambling the price of shares in Stanley Leisure plc rose from 372 pence on Monday 26th February to 435 pence at close of trading on Thursday 29th February; notes that Leonard Steinberg's holding in Stanley Leisure rose by ú7.8 million pounds in four days and asks Mr Steinberg to make a public statement given an assurance that no part of his windfall gain will find its way into the coffers of the Conservative Party; reaffairms the need for an enquiry into the need for transparency over party funding; and calls for an enquiry by the Stock Exchange Market Regulation Department into the 9 per cent. increase in the share price during the five week period immediately prior to the announcement of the Green Paper.

This motion has been signed by a total of 42 MPs.