‘Unelected power’ of ultra-rich is reshaping British politics, report claims

Unelected membership of the House of Lords has expanded from 676 to 803 in the past 20 years, while political donations of more than £250,000 jumped from £7.6m to £47m, the study notes. Photograph: Aaron Chown/AP

Structural corruption and the rise of “conduits for unelected power” are reshaping British politics, according to a stark report from the Equality Trust.

Unelected influence has increased over the past two decades, the report claims, driven by the growing political clout of the ultra-rich and the institutions that enable it.