The names and amounts donated to political parties are the most important disclosures in freedom of information and transparency.
However these are not mandated in the new constitution or Freedom of Information Law or any other law as in other democratic countries.
PPM and UDP talk about transparency but not when it relates to their parties. What goes on in the party stays in the party (as the song goes) is the way politicians like it but it may not be in the public’s interest.
The present laws (Election Law and Register of Interests Law) do not go far enough for parties, which may receive large donations all year round and not just before elections. Political parties are big spenders of other peoples money donated to them. Some people who give large political donations expect something in return.
Before the next elections the parties will probably increase the amount that they spend at elections from the present $30,000 for each candidate of a party nominated for election (no restriction before nomination, which is normally about two months before election).
The danger as seen in other Caribbean Islands is that contracts may go to large political donors or party members or their associates. Disclosure reduces this danger.
The real test of transparency and freedom of information is for the names, dates and amounts of donations all year to parties together with the parties’ accounts to be made public.
John McLean
& Truman Bodden
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