Rose Whiffen
@rosewhiff.bsky.social
Researcher for @transparencyuk.bsky.social on political integrity issues and wider corruption. All opinions my own.
Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said of Mr Gill in sentencing that "Allowing money to corrupt your moral compass constitutes a grave betrayal of the trust vested in you by the electorate."
π£οΈ Today "underscores the very real danger that hostile states and their proxies pose to our democratic processes, and the relatively small amounts of money it took to gain influence within our political system."
Our full statement on Nathan Gill's sentence ‡
www.transparency.org.uk/news/105-yea...
Our full statement on Nathan Gill's sentence ‡
www.transparency.org.uk/news/105-yea...
10.5-year sentence for Nathan Gill shows "real and urgent" threat of foreign interference
www.transparency.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said of Mr Gill in sentencing that "Allowing money to corrupt your moral compass constitutes a grave betrayal of the trust vested in you by the electorate."
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
π BLOG π
The UK Government's 2025 National Risk Assessment identified crypto assets as a growing risk to money laundering and terrorist financing
Our new explainer looks at how crypto works and potential risks it poses to political funding.
Read more ‡οΈ
www.transparency.org.uk/news/does-cr...
The UK Government's 2025 National Risk Assessment identified crypto assets as a growing risk to money laundering and terrorist financing
Our new explainer looks at how crypto works and potential risks it poses to political funding.
Read more ‡οΈ
www.transparency.org.uk/news/does-cr...
Does crypto pose a threat to our democracy?
Exploring how cryptocurrency works and potential risks the technology poses to political funding and democratic integrity.
www.transparency.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 11:20 AM
π BLOG π
The UK Government's 2025 National Risk Assessment identified crypto assets as a growing risk to money laundering and terrorist financing
Our new explainer looks at how crypto works and potential risks it poses to political funding.
Read more ‡οΈ
www.transparency.org.uk/news/does-cr...
The UK Government's 2025 National Risk Assessment identified crypto assets as a growing risk to money laundering and terrorist financing
Our new explainer looks at how crypto works and potential risks it poses to political funding.
Read more ‡οΈ
www.transparency.org.uk/news/does-cr...
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
π΄Keir Starmerβs Election Reforms Will Leave UK Politics Exposed to Dark Money and Foreign Interference, Warns Labour MP
The partyβs former Shadow Democracy Minister said the Government was failing to take the bold steps required to eliminate foreign interference in our elections
The partyβs former Shadow Democracy Minister said the Government was failing to take the bold steps required to eliminate foreign interference in our elections
Keir Starmer's Election Reforms Will Leave UK Politics Exposed to Dark Money and Foreign Interference, Warns Labour MP
The party's former Shadow Democracy Minister said the Government was failing to take the bold steps required to eliminate foreign interference in our elections
bylinetimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:27 AM
π΄Keir Starmerβs Election Reforms Will Leave UK Politics Exposed to Dark Money and Foreign Interference, Warns Labour MP
The partyβs former Shadow Democracy Minister said the Government was failing to take the bold steps required to eliminate foreign interference in our elections
The partyβs former Shadow Democracy Minister said the Government was failing to take the bold steps required to eliminate foreign interference in our elections
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
Does the elections white paper go far enough?
At 1pm tomorrow, join @catsmithmp.bsky.social, @rosewhiff.bsky.social, Tom Hawthorn and David Howarth at our free, online event to consider if the government's plans are sufficient to ensure electoral integrity.
Sign up π www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
At 1pm tomorrow, join @catsmithmp.bsky.social, @rosewhiff.bsky.social, Tom Hawthorn and David Howarth at our free, online event to consider if the government's plans are sufficient to ensure electoral integrity.
Sign up π www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
October 23, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Does the elections white paper go far enough?
At 1pm tomorrow, join @catsmithmp.bsky.social, @rosewhiff.bsky.social, Tom Hawthorn and David Howarth at our free, online event to consider if the government's plans are sufficient to ensure electoral integrity.
Sign up π www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
At 1pm tomorrow, join @catsmithmp.bsky.social, @rosewhiff.bsky.social, Tom Hawthorn and David Howarth at our free, online event to consider if the government's plans are sufficient to ensure electoral integrity.
Sign up π www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
βOur analysis suggests the Governmentβs approach to improving standards remains piecemeal, falling short of the comprehensive change neededβ @rosewhiff.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social
#UKPolitics #Standards
www.transparency.org.uk/news/analysi...
#UKPolitics #Standards
www.transparency.org.uk/news/analysi...
Analysis reveals Government has implemented only two of 28 key changes to improve standards in public life
New Ethics and Integrity Commission welcome, but action needed on long-standing recommendations
www.transparency.org.uk
October 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM
βOur analysis suggests the Governmentβs approach to improving standards remains piecemeal, falling short of the comprehensive change neededβ @rosewhiff.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social
#UKPolitics #Standards
www.transparency.org.uk/news/analysi...
#UKPolitics #Standards
www.transparency.org.uk/news/analysi...
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
My colleague @rosewhiff.bsky.social marked international βday of democracyβ with this timely suggestion for what we need to do to protect our politics and elections from capture by partiesβ ultra-wealthy backers:
Wealthy donors are increasingly fudning political campaigns, eroding the publicβs trust in the political process. The Government has the opportunity to reverse that trend, argues Rose Whiffen of @anticorruption.bsky.social.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Political donation caps are needed to tackle deepening political inequality - British Politics and Policy at LSE
The Government has to limit the individual donation amounts allowed and cap campaign spending by political parties.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
September 16, 2025 at 5:32 AM
My colleague @rosewhiff.bsky.social marked international βday of democracyβ with this timely suggestion for what we need to do to protect our politics and elections from capture by partiesβ ultra-wealthy backers:
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
"Money buys influence in British democracy"
My evidence from Parliament yesterday on threats from foreign influence in British politics.
Full video on the Democracy for Sale YouTube channel (Do subscribe!!)
www.youtube.com/@Democracy_f...
My evidence from Parliament yesterday on threats from foreign influence in British politics.
Full video on the Democracy for Sale YouTube channel (Do subscribe!!)
www.youtube.com/@Democracy_f...
September 9, 2025 at 9:54 AM
"Money buys influence in British democracy"
My evidence from Parliament yesterday on threats from foreign influence in British politics.
Full video on the Democracy for Sale YouTube channel (Do subscribe!!)
www.youtube.com/@Democracy_f...
My evidence from Parliament yesterday on threats from foreign influence in British politics.
Full video on the Democracy for Sale YouTube channel (Do subscribe!!)
www.youtube.com/@Democracy_f...
These sanctions include "public apology, remedial action, or removal of ministerial salary for a period." But outcomes vary, with Matt Hancock found to have 'technically breached' the ministerial code but stayed in post. Whereas Tulip Siddiq was not found in breach, but resigned nonetheless.
September 5, 2025 at 10:51 AM
These sanctions include "public apology, remedial action, or removal of ministerial salary for a period." But outcomes vary, with Matt Hancock found to have 'technically breached' the ministerial code but stayed in post. Whereas Tulip Siddiq was not found in breach, but resigned nonetheless.
Worth noting in the Angela Rayner stamp duty debacle that, notwithstanding public pressure, the PM has discretion on what sanction, if any, to deliver. Since December 2022, as per a recommendation from CSPL, the Prime Minister has a range of sanctions to administer. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Starmer refuses to say if he will sack Rayner if she broke rules
The PM's standards adviser is investigating if Rayner breached the ministerial code after underpaying stamp duty.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 5, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Worth noting in the Angela Rayner stamp duty debacle that, notwithstanding public pressure, the PM has discretion on what sanction, if any, to deliver. Since December 2022, as per a recommendation from CSPL, the Prime Minister has a range of sanctions to administer. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
ORCL and Companies House records state Tim Allan is a current Director of the lobbying company 'Strand Partners'. orcl.my.site.com/CLR_Public_P.... How will this conflict of interests be managed?
Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists - Public Profile
orcl.my.site.com
September 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
ORCL and Companies House records state Tim Allan is a current Director of the lobbying company 'Strand Partners'. orcl.my.site.com/CLR_Public_P.... How will this conflict of interests be managed?
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
"Government should embrace transparency as the default, not fight expensive legal battles to maintain unnecessary secrecy."
@rosewhiff.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#UKPolitics #Standards
@rosewhiff.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#UKPolitics #Standards
Ministers tried to block publication of financial interests form
The Cabinet Office spent Β£30,000 on a legal battle to prevent publication of a questionnaire for ministers.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 6, 2025 at 3:23 PM
"Government should embrace transparency as the default, not fight expensive legal battles to maintain unnecessary secrecy."
@rosewhiff.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#UKPolitics #Standards
@rosewhiff.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#UKPolitics #Standards
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
π¨ Important intervention from the Committee on Standards in Public Life that they β like us and many others β are not happy with the government keeping the power to set the @electoralcommission.org.ukβs overall strategy.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
August 6, 2025 at 10:25 AM
π¨ Important intervention from the Committee on Standards in Public Life that they β like us and many others β are not happy with the government keeping the power to set the @electoralcommission.org.ukβs overall strategy.
"A secret meeting between finance executives and a senior Tory cabinet minister arranged by Keir Starmerβs top business aide Varun Chandra has prompted the lobbying watchdog to launch an investigation into his former firm, Hakluyt & Company." www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-mone...
Exclusive: Watchdog probes Starmer aideβs lobbying of Tories
openDemocracy findings on Varun Chandraβs activities at Hakluyt prompted official watchdog to launch investigation
www.opendemocracy.net
July 18, 2025 at 11:37 AM
"A secret meeting between finance executives and a senior Tory cabinet minister arranged by Keir Starmerβs top business aide Varun Chandra has prompted the lobbying watchdog to launch an investigation into his former firm, Hakluyt & Company." www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-mone...
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
Today, the Government released their long-awaited Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections. Out experts outline some of the key provisions in the White Paper and talk through whatβs missing β¬οΈ
July 17, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Today, the Government released their long-awaited Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections. Out experts outline some of the key provisions in the White Paper and talk through whatβs missing β¬οΈ
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
The big problem with Labour's Election Bill? does *nothing* about scale of money in British politics
No donation caps.
No changes to sky-high spending limits
Ironically Bill dropped on same day as spending data from 2024 - showing the most expensive election in British history
No donation caps.
No changes to sky-high spending limits
Ironically Bill dropped on same day as spending data from 2024 - showing the most expensive election in British history
July 18, 2025 at 8:53 AM
The big problem with Labour's Election Bill? does *nothing* about scale of money in British politics
No donation caps.
No changes to sky-high spending limits
Ironically Bill dropped on same day as spending data from 2024 - showing the most expensive election in British history
No donation caps.
No changes to sky-high spending limits
Ironically Bill dropped on same day as spending data from 2024 - showing the most expensive election in British history
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
π£οΈ "Crackdown on foreign donations welcome, but bolder action needed to end corrupting influence of big money."
See our full statement on the government's new elections strategy published today ‡οΈ
www.transparency.org.uk/news/crackdo...
See our full statement on the government's new elections strategy published today ‡οΈ
www.transparency.org.uk/news/crackdo...
Crackdown on foreign donations welcome, but bolder action needed to end corrupting influence of big money
Anti-corruption campaigners warn more still to be done to protect UK democracy and restore trust in politics
www.transparency.org.uk
July 17, 2025 at 11:28 AM
π£οΈ "Crackdown on foreign donations welcome, but bolder action needed to end corrupting influence of big money."
See our full statement on the government's new elections strategy published today ‡οΈ
www.transparency.org.uk/news/crackdo...
See our full statement on the government's new elections strategy published today ‡οΈ
www.transparency.org.uk/news/crackdo...
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
π BLOG π
Did you know the UK's electoral watchdog can only fine parties up to Β£20,000 - even for serious breaches?
Our new explainer reveals why current enforcement is failing to deter rule-breaking and what reforms are urgently needed.
Read more ‡οΈ
www.transparency.org.uk/news/how-our...
Did you know the UK's electoral watchdog can only fine parties up to Β£20,000 - even for serious breaches?
Our new explainer reveals why current enforcement is failing to deter rule-breaking and what reforms are urgently needed.
Read more ‡οΈ
www.transparency.org.uk/news/how-our...
How is our electoral law enforced?
With different legislation and bodies responsible for our electoral law we look at how these laws are enforced
www.transparency.org.uk
July 11, 2025 at 2:32 PM
π BLOG π
Did you know the UK's electoral watchdog can only fine parties up to Β£20,000 - even for serious breaches?
Our new explainer reveals why current enforcement is failing to deter rule-breaking and what reforms are urgently needed.
Read more ‡οΈ
www.transparency.org.uk/news/how-our...
Did you know the UK's electoral watchdog can only fine parties up to Β£20,000 - even for serious breaches?
Our new explainer reveals why current enforcement is failing to deter rule-breaking and what reforms are urgently needed.
Read more ‡οΈ
www.transparency.org.uk/news/how-our...
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
π BLOG π
Did you know weak electoral laws are allowing millions of pounds to enter UK political parties from untraceable origins?
Our new explainer looks into the dark money problem in UK politics and what can be done to bring real transparency to who is funding our politicians.
Read more ‡οΈ
Did you know weak electoral laws are allowing millions of pounds to enter UK political parties from untraceable origins?
Our new explainer looks into the dark money problem in UK politics and what can be done to bring real transparency to who is funding our politicians.
Read more ‡οΈ
Does UK politics have a dark money problem?
We identify five key gaps in the law that allow dark money to enter our political system.
www.transparency.org.uk
June 30, 2025 at 3:49 PM
π BLOG π
Did you know weak electoral laws are allowing millions of pounds to enter UK political parties from untraceable origins?
Our new explainer looks into the dark money problem in UK politics and what can be done to bring real transparency to who is funding our politicians.
Read more ‡οΈ
Did you know weak electoral laws are allowing millions of pounds to enter UK political parties from untraceable origins?
Our new explainer looks into the dark money problem in UK politics and what can be done to bring real transparency to who is funding our politicians.
Read more ‡οΈ
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
We have new opinion polling on House of Lords reform!
There is overwhelming public support to go beyond the government's current plans to remove hereditary peers (due to be debated in the Lords on Wednesday), including to limit prime ministerial appointments and cap the chamber's size.
A thread π
There is overwhelming public support to go beyond the government's current plans to remove hereditary peers (due to be debated in the Lords on Wednesday), including to limit prime ministerial appointments and cap the chamber's size.
A thread π
June 30, 2025 at 6:01 AM
We have new opinion polling on House of Lords reform!
There is overwhelming public support to go beyond the government's current plans to remove hereditary peers (due to be debated in the Lords on Wednesday), including to limit prime ministerial appointments and cap the chamber's size.
A thread π
There is overwhelming public support to go beyond the government's current plans to remove hereditary peers (due to be debated in the Lords on Wednesday), including to limit prime ministerial appointments and cap the chamber's size.
A thread π
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
Write up of evidence session for the Standards Committee the other week www.mysociety.org/2025/06/05/g...
Giving evidence on second jobs
The Standards Committee is looking at outside employment and interests - we shared what we'd learned from our WhoFundsThem work.
www.mysociety.org
June 5, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Write up of evidence session for the Standards Committee the other week www.mysociety.org/2025/06/05/g...
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
π£οΈ "When there's nothing left to buy, what is it that money can't buy? Well, it turns out that money can buy politics, and that's what they've set out to do."
In Parliament last night @duncanhames.bsky.social set out why we must stop billionaires like Elon Musk buying power in our politics.
In Parliament last night @duncanhames.bsky.social set out why we must stop billionaires like Elon Musk buying power in our politics.
June 3, 2025 at 3:55 PM
π£οΈ "When there's nothing left to buy, what is it that money can't buy? Well, it turns out that money can buy politics, and that's what they've set out to do."
In Parliament last night @duncanhames.bsky.social set out why we must stop billionaires like Elon Musk buying power in our politics.
In Parliament last night @duncanhames.bsky.social set out why we must stop billionaires like Elon Musk buying power in our politics.
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
What do political parties, politicians and political campaigners spend money on?
The second in @transparencyuk.bsky.social's explainer series about money in politics from myself and @rosewhiff.bsky.social www.transparency.org.uk/news/what-do...
The second in @transparencyuk.bsky.social's explainer series about money in politics from myself and @rosewhiff.bsky.social www.transparency.org.uk/news/what-do...
What do political parties, politicians and political campaigners spend money on?
UK political spending involves complex regulations with separate limits for parties, candidates, and campaigners.
www.transparency.org.uk
May 29, 2025 at 10:54 AM
What do political parties, politicians and political campaigners spend money on?
The second in @transparencyuk.bsky.social's explainer series about money in politics from myself and @rosewhiff.bsky.social www.transparency.org.uk/news/what-do...
The second in @transparencyuk.bsky.social's explainer series about money in politics from myself and @rosewhiff.bsky.social www.transparency.org.uk/news/what-do...
Reposted by Rose Whiffen
π£οΈ "...all second jobs should be prohibited except those that maintain a professional qualification or provide an essential public service."
Earlier this week @rosewhiff.bsky.social gave evidence to House of Commons Committee on Standards on the need to end second jobs for MPs.
Earlier this week @rosewhiff.bsky.social gave evidence to House of Commons Committee on Standards on the need to end second jobs for MPs.
May 23, 2025 at 11:17 AM
π£οΈ "...all second jobs should be prohibited except those that maintain a professional qualification or provide an essential public service."
Earlier this week @rosewhiff.bsky.social gave evidence to House of Commons Committee on Standards on the need to end second jobs for MPs.
Earlier this week @rosewhiff.bsky.social gave evidence to House of Commons Committee on Standards on the need to end second jobs for MPs.
Ah you're too kind! π
May 20, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Ah you're too kind! π