Many readers will recall the great controversy that was provoked by the clumsily entitled Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning etc Act 2013 at the time it was passed. It is clear its purpose was to clear the pitch for the Tories, to allow them to dominate the election with their city-fuelled war chest.

Opponents – especially on the left – were to be gagged. So the Act introduces new controls on trade unions and other groups. If a union wants to spend more than £20,000 in the election in England (or £10,000 in Scotland or Wales), it must comply with more detailed and onerous disclosure and reporting rules. Continue reading →