Parties must act to stop Elon Musks of the world throwing cash into UK politics – Carmichael

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today in Parliament called for parties to come together to ban non-UK citizens from using loopholes to put money into UK politics. Speaking during questions to the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, Mr Carmichael noted the potential for consensus on the issue, which has grown in interest following threats by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, to funnel as much as $100m into UK parties, despite not being a UK citizen.

Speaking in the House, Mr Carmichael said:

“Surely, even in these febrile times, it should not be difficult to build a consensus around the proposition that foreign money should not be in British politics. Can we not get the parties together now to make the strongest possible package of reforms, rather than reacting when it is too late?”

Responding for the committee, Sir Jeremy Wright MP said:

“There is a consensus in this House that foreign donations should not play a part in British politics, but there are gaps in the law. As I mentioned, the Electoral Commission believes that those gaps can be properly closed through further legislation. It is speaking to the Government about that, and I know that it would be happy discuss the matter further with the right hon. Gentleman, if he so wishes.”

Reacting after the exchange, Mr Carmichael said:

“If we tolerate the Elon Musks of this world throwing cash around in our democracy for their own amusement then it will send us down a dark path. Whatever our party and whatever our politics we ought to be able to unite around this and bar donations by non-UK citizens. The government must act and work with all parties to fill this gap in the law.”