Supporting the work of a political party is a good thing for democracy - the majority of the Conservative Party's funding comes from the voluntary contributions of private individuals, and helps us campaign more effectively all year round - not just at election time.
Anybody, whether a British Citizen or from overseas, can give or lend sums of up to £500 at a time, but over that amount you must be a "permissible donor" as set out in the Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000. (PPERA).
What is not a donation?
The following are not considered donations:
- A reasonable charge for admission to a conference, meeting or other event
- The purchase price of (or any other charge for access to) a publication
- The hire of a stand at a conference at a commercial rate.
- Commercial advertising in a political publication, or at an event, if at a reasonable market rate.
- Payment for commercial services such as printing of leaflets for a local business.
Donations from companies (including UK subsidiaries of overseas companies)
Such donations are permissible provided:
- Shareholder approval is obtained for all donations of more than £5,000. Approval is normally obtained at the Company's AGM, and can be given for a period of 4 years at a time. Companies cannot make a political donation and then seek approval retrospectively.
- All donations of more than £200 must appear in the Company Annual Report.
More detailed guidance is available either from the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (www.berr.gov.uk then search for "donations") or by contacting our Compliance Department.
Donations to candidates or MPs
The same permissibility rules apply if giving to a candidate or Member of Parliament, who are "regulated donees" and make their own submissions directly to the Electoral Commission, except at election time when different rules apply. We advise candidates and MPs not to receive money directly; donations should be given to their Association.
Charities
a charity cannot donate to a political party
a joint fundraising event cannot be held with a charity
a charity can have a stand or hold a meeting at a party event and pay a reasonable fee which will not be treated as a donation
a political party can donate to a charity, eg a percenatge of profits from an event, if
donors are aware that a proportion of monies are to be given to the specified charity
no conditions are attached to the donation
the donation is not used for political purposes
charities can support a policy of a candidate if in line with its charitable purposes.
Further information
More guidance is available from us on request.
Who is a Permissible Donor?
- Individuals on a Register of Electors in the United Kingdom. This includes British citizens, members of the Commonwealth and people from the European Union. We check the registers for you.
- Companies registered in the UK and carrying on business here. (but see below)
- Trade Unions
- Friendly Societies
- Building Societies
- Unincorporated Associations (two or more people carrying on business in the UK - Note, evidence of carrying on business at the date of donation must be obtained and retained for 6 years.)
- Limited Liability Partnerships
- Donations in the form of bequests and from certain non discretionary Trusts.
What is a donation?
A donation is only a donation if more than £500, eg:
- A sum of money, or gift in kind, the value of which is more than £500. This includes tickets for fund raising dinners, particularly where the ticket price is in excess of the market rate (Eg ticket £650, meal costs £100 = donation of £550)
- A subscription or fee paid for membership
- Any money spent promoting the Party or one of our candidates
- A loan of more than £500
- The provision other than on commercial terms of any property, service or any facilities for the use or the benefit of the party (including the services of a person)
- Sponsorship (where money or other property is transferred to help the party meet (or avoid incurring) a defined cost, eg in connection with a conference, a publication, or to help with study or research.
"Commercial terms" means normal market rate, or not more than 10% below the market rate.
Donations and loans in cash or kind are to be disclosed to the Electoral Commission and by them on its website -
above £1,500 if donated to the Association
above £7,500 if donated to CCHQ