If ever there were a moment to have a serious conversation about how we fund our politics, this is it.

In the space of just 48 hours, Reform UK received an extraordinary £72 million from two billionaire donors – £36 million apiece from crypto entrepreneurs Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne. Let me be clear: my argument isn’t that Reform should be singled out for rules that don’t apply to everybody else. The problem is the system itself.

At present, there is no overall limit on the amount a permissible donor can give to a political party. That means our democracy remains vulnerable to the simple fact that somebody with an enormous bank balance can attempt to wield a financial and potential political influence unavailable to the overwhelming majority of citizens. That cannot be healthy.

I believe the answer is a proper system of State funding of political parties, coupled with strict limits on large private donations. Yes, I can already hear the objection: why should taxpayers fund political parties they don’t support? But democracy isn’t free. We already publicly fund elements of our politics, including policy development grants and parliamentary support such as Short Money. The principle has therefore already been established.

A properly designed system could allocate funding according to electoral support while retaining a modest role for membership fees and individual donations. It would mean parties spending less time courting wealthy benefactors and more time trying to persuade voters. And it would help to create something liberals should instinctively support: a more level political playing field. Democracy should ultimately be a contest of ideas, values and visions for our country’s future. It should never be a contest to see which political party can attract the billionaire with the biggest chequebook.

The Reform donations should be the moment Britain finally decides to get big money out of politics.

A setback, but the fight for dignity goes on

I was deeply saddened on Friday when MPs voted down the Assisted Dying Bill by 286 votes to 270. For terminally ill people who want choice, dignity and control at the end of life, this was a bitter setback.

But the fight goes on. At Lib Dem Conference in Brighton on Sunday, I’ll be chairing Dignity in Dying’s fringe meeting, ‘What’s next for the Assisted Dying Bill.’, Sunday, 20th September, 12.15-1.15pm, Brighton Centre, Meeting Room 1B.

With a Lib Dem MP, a Lib Dem Peer, the CEO of Dignity in Dying and people with lived experience of the issue well discuss how we regroup, rebuild and continue campaigning for a compassionate change in the law. Because this cause isn’t going away and true choice at the end of life will win.

I hope you can join us.

See you in Brighton!

I always love party conference. Getting to see so many friends, old and new, and debating liberal solutions to the big domestic and global challenges we face.

As well as chairing the fringe referenced above, I’ll also be doing some media.

But what I look forward to most is chatting to members of our wonderfully diverse Lib Dem family. So, if you spot me, do say hello and let’s have a cuppa.

And join me back here next week for Mathew on Monday at Conference.

See you in Brighton!

* Mathew Hulbert is a former Councillor, is a regular commentator on TV and Radio, and is Co-Host of the Political Frenemies podcast.