I would like to lend my support to Polly Toynbee in her call for state funding of political parties (Without state funding, Britain’s politics will always stink, 15 February). It is surely straight corruption that money can buy you privileged access to ministers and policymakers, preferment in appointments to public bodies and even a peerage. Why are those engaged in these activities not charged with corruption in public office?
All big money must be taken out of politics. No business, bank or financial institution should be allowed to donate to a party, and that includes trade unions. All thinktanks and policy institutions should be required by law to name all their sources of finance, however small.
