“[The researcher] added that the use of public funds for partisan political purposes was a further major challenge, reporting: ‘At almost all levels of elective politics, incumbents have become entitled to public money to aid them in their duties to their electors.

‘There is a tendency to use some of this money as a form of backdoor state funding of parties and for the re-election of incumbents.’

Mr Pinto-Duschinsky said it was crucial to re-examine the role of the Electoral Commission and other regulators such as the Charity Commission.
The row over Mr Cameron’s resignation honours – a traditional opportunity for departing prime minister’s to reward allies – has renewed calls for reform to the honours system.

Anger has been focused on moves by Mr Cameron to reward major party donors from his decade as Tory leader – with one, Ian Taylor, declining a knighthood, and another Michael Spencer, being blocked from the House of Lords by officials.”