Lord Levy arrested

[afleitch]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6314881.stm

Labour's chief fundraiser Lord Levy has been re-arrested by police looking into cash-for-honours allegations. He was held on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and was later bailed.

Lord Levy, a close ally of Tony Blair, was previously arrested in connection with claims honours had been sold in exchange for party donations.

[Joe Republic]

.... ok never mind.  I thought for a moment that this was Lord Lucan.  Now that would have been interesting.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Again? Ah, but for something different.

Now here's one I made earlier...

Btw, I'm thinking of writing a letter to a member of the N.E.C calling for a certain Lord and Tennis Partner (originally from Hackney, now residing in Barnet. Mill Hill I think. Mentioning no names o/c) to be expelled (or suspended or whatever) from the Party. Won't serve no purpose except for a second of self-important/vindictive self-gratification, but hey... bastard got us in ghastly debt (and nearly bankrupted us) for f***ing billboards...

O/c there's an element to the whole mess that I've been just a little worried/suspicious about since it all started, but I won't comment on that till it's over (apparently it will all end last September. Er...).

[afleitch]

I don't see it having much effect outwith political circles unless it snares cabinet ministers. The Labour Party's proximity to bankruptcy (without going cap in hand to the unions) is more likely to have an effect this year- I can't see them being able to focus on what is effectively a nationwide campaign in May as sharply as they have done in the past. They certainly seem to have cut down on preliminary canvassing up my way.

[Democratic Hawk]

Political parties shouldn't even need to borrow money. Competitive elections, which require a vibrant political party-system, are an integral part of a healthy democracy. There should be state funding to some degree

I seem to recall an idea, if not a proposal, that when a voter registers to vote, they tick a box indicating which, if any, political party is to receive their share of state funding, be it say a modest sum of £2 or £3. Of course, individuals and organisations should still be able to contribute towards funding parties but not to the point where they can, technically, hold a party to ransom. This would mean, in effect, a cap on donations

I quite like that idea. Of course, individuals, who opt to contribute their share of statefunding, can then be, in effect, party members. Then the UK could have primaries for selecting general election candidates and caucuses for selecting local election candidates. British politics would be a lot less humdrum

Dave

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Would this be news in the US? Jack Ambramoff has totally got this guy beaten.

[Democratic Hawk]

Would this be news in the US? Jack Ambramoff has totally got this guy beaten.

It's yet to be established whether Lord Levy actually committed any offense. So, it's pretty unfair to be comparing Levy with Jack Abramoff

Dave

[Boris]

Looks like Gordon Brown will have a lot of work to do once he takes office....I know nothing about UK politics, but based upon Blair's current popularity and various incidents such as this, Labor looks to be in trouble.

[afleitch]

Would this be news in the US? Jack Ambramoff has totally got this guy beaten.

Should it spread any further, and any closer to the PM we are probably closer to Nixon territory...

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Would this be news in the US?

No; the sort of methods used by Levy (and similer figures in other parties going back years) to raise money are actually pretty clean by US standards. There are several ways of looking at that fact...

I'm more worried about this sort of thing actually (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6315469.stm). But the media aren't. Sign of a healthy democracy my...