GORDON Prentice, MP for Pendle, has welcomed the Government U-turn which he said will prevent tax exiles bankrolling UK political parties.
The MP has campaigned to close a loophole which allows millionaire UK citizens who do not pay taxes to inject funds into the party of their choice.
He secured the backing of 216 MPs for his Commons motion to close the loophole but for procedural reasons it was not taken.
Following the changes proposed by the Government, he said he was “elated”.
He added: “They should have been put in place years ago.
“Outside the short pre- election period there are effectively no controls whatsoever on how much a political party can spend in a constituency.
“Marginal constituencies, such as mine in Pendle, are awash with cash provided by tax exiles.
“It pollutes our politics,” added Mr Prentice.
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