Political Parties and Elections Bill

As a fundraiser for the UK Independence Party, I find these amendments inconvenient. However, I also find them largely persuasive. At Second Reading, I asked the question raised by the noble Lord, Lord Tyler, about the possibility of a large number of cumulative donations of £7,499 coming in by standing order. That is not a problem that the Committee has resolved, and it is clearly unacceptable. Perhaps I may ask the noble Lords, Lord Campbell-Savours and Lord Tyler, one or two questions. Under these amendments, what would be the position of a UK-resident taxpayer donating through an unincorporated UK association? Have they thought of that? I refer to a genuine UK-resident taxpayer, from whom a donation is currently permissible. Under the amendment, would that situation continue to apply? Secondly, I did not want to come here as the usual Euro-bore that I am in your Lordships’ House, but I ask the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, whether he has thought about European law with regard to the amendment. I may be wrong but, as I understand it, under European law, European Union companies and individuals are able to donate in this country in a way that companies and individuals from outside the European Union are not. I apologise if I am setting off a false hare but it is an area that the noble Lord should think about, especially as we go forward. I do not mind betting that if it is not law at the moment, it will be fairly soon. Those are my two questions. On the subject of trade unions, which I do not suppose will be popular with—