Parties 'need state funding'

Labour's general secretary has urged Tony Blair to introduce state funding for political parties by using Labour's Commons majority to override Tory objections. In an interview with The Independent, David Triesman said he believed the British people could be persuaded to support more taxpayer-funding because they valued "vibrant democracy".

Tories' hostility to taxpayer- funding was "pretty rich," he said. They now receive £4m a year from the state, the most handed to an opposition, after increases in the "short money" paid to parties in Parliament. "It is crass opportunism," he said. "They are willing to talk about state funding when they are in financial difficulties, but not when their cash flow is a bit better."

Mr Triesman wants state funding, with a limit on individual donations, outlawing the trend towards £1m gifts.

Labour currently owes £10.5m and substantial individual donations have almost dried up.