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TIPS Newsletter | January 2025 - Cheques and Balances: Countering the Influence of Big Money in UK Politics

The TIPS team
Jan 314 min read

Dear TIPS Member,


TI-UK recently published ‘Cheques and Balances: Countering the Influence of Big Money in UK Politics’, a report which sets out a blueprint for how the UK Government can protect democracy by strengthening political finance laws.


The report highlights that millions of pounds donated to political parties and MPs have come from questionable sources, including individuals accused or proven to have bought political access, influence, or honours such as knighthoods or peerages. The research makes a series of recommendations across three areas:


  1. End the arms race in campaign spending: reduce spending limits for elections to decrease reliance on large donations.

  2. Bring dark money out of the shadows: introduce an Elections Bill to prevent funds of unknown origin from entering political finances and lower donation reporting thresholds.

  3. Uphold the integrity of the political system: restore the Electoral Commission’s independence, introduce a £10,000 annual donation cap for individuals and organizations, and close loopholes on overseas gifts and hospitality.


Reflecting on the report, Duncan Hames, TI-UK’s Director of Policy, emphasised the urgency of implementing “tighter spending rules, reforms to bring dark money out of the shadows and more accountability,” while Jess Garland of the Electoral Reform Society underscored the need for updated rules to prevent politics from being “sold to the highest bidders.”


Please see below the TIPS Newsletter for January 2025. We look forward to seeing you soon.


 - the TIPS team


 

1. Upcoming Events (register for TIPS events on our Events page)


TIPS | Follow the Money: Proliferation finance and nuclear weapons | 25 Feb 2025, 7-8.30pm GMT


TIPS Anniversary Event | A focus on TI-UK’s ongoing research on the ABC in ESG | 25 March 2025, 7-8.30pm GMT


Kleptoscope: Indulging Kleptocracy | 11 Feb 2025, 7-8.30pm GMT


Debate: Politics is Corruption | 25 Feb 2025, 6.45-9pm GMT


HLB ESG Forum 2025 | 25 Feb 2025, 8.30-1pm GMT


 

  1. Recent Events


TIPS | SLAPPs and Corruption: Legal Battles to Silence Accountability

 

On 28 January, the TIPS Network kicked off the 2025 events programme with an insightful discussion featuring Edward Siddons of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ). Edward explored the history of libel law in the UK, the rise of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), and shared his personal experiences responding to a SLAPP suit.

 

We would like to thank Sandra Saadi for facilitating the session and Mayer Brown for kindly hosting.


 

3. Jobs Board


  • Financial Crime, Sanctions and Export Control Compliance Lead, Rolls-Royce. Apply here.

  • Compliance Surveillance Senior Analyst, Citi. Apply here.


 

4. Items of Interest

TI publications

  • Roadmaps for reforms: Strengthening resilience to defence corruption in Nigeria, Tunisia, Niger and Mali. See here.

TI blogs

  • Global defence industry at a critical juncture: strengthening governance and managing risks amidst soaring military spending. See here. 

  • Funding a fairer future: the role of transparency in financing for development. See here.

  • Letter to the trump administration urging the adoption of a strong ethics pledge. See here. 

  • Providing legitimate interest access to Bermuda's beneficial ownership data. See here.

Other items

  • Kickback:  John Heathershaw, Tena Prelec and Tom Mayne on Indulging Kleptocracy #125.  Listen here.

  • Tulip Siddiq resigns as Treasury minister over alleged Bangladeshi financial links. See here.

  • New Bill aims to restore public trust in our politics and fix the UK’s broken system of ethics regulation. See here.

  • Lina Khan (former US Federal Trade Commission) warns of ‘catastrophic consequences’ if Trump gives free hand to private equity. See here.

  • Sanctioned Russian firms sold $2b air defence system to Saudi Arabia, leaked documents show.  See here.#

 

5. One Minute Reads


New One Minute Reads have been uploaded to the TIPS website. Please do click the link to read more – perfect for your morning/evening WFH coffee break!


 

6. TI-UK Business Integrity Programme


The private sector plays a crucial role in combatting corruption. TI-UK works with companies through a range of support and services.



Email businessintegrity@transparency.org.uk for more information.


 

7. Focus on...

Georgina Howard


Senior Associate, Highgate

TIPS Committee Member




Why did you get involved with the TIPS network?


I was first introduced to the TIPS Network through colleagues at Highgate and was impressed by the high calibre of discussions and speakers, as well as the friendly network that offered a great space to meet with a variety of professionals with shared interests.


Please describe your experience as part of the TIPS network.


For me, the joy of TIPS is the diversity of backgrounds and industries represented – from journalists to lawyers to investigators – the network brings everyone together under the shared interests of anti-corruption. It’s a unique chance to share experience and knowledge between professions and take these learnings with us in our advocacy for greater transparency and meaningful change.


Connect with Georgina on LinkedIn.

 
 
 

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