The real foreign influence threat

Introduction by Jonathan Coulter, for CAMPAIN

I have long been a fan of Peter Geohegan and a subscriber to his Substack feed, called Democracy for Sale. I became interested in 2021 when I wrote a blog about his book by this same name.

Since then he has tirelessly reported about the corrupting effect of dark money, often channelled through right-wing think tanks, and taking advantage of tax havens, shell companies and legal loopholes, on our political system. It stimulates outrage and misinformation about Palestine, global warming, the health services and many other matters. And it's growing worse.

Interestingly, one of his recent articles is about Tony Blair - Larry Ellison's man in Gaza

where he says that Blair's ties to the Oracle founder and Trump booster should disqualify him from any role in Gaza - or in Britain's tech future.

I have taken the liberty of republishing below Geohegan's brief blog and his evidence session to parliament. Given Trump's recent threats to the BBC, it is most timely - and like many of his other pieces, it tells us that the Government has been utterly complacent, and is not doing enough to seal the loopholes that allow foreigners to interfere in our politics.

I'm glad to see that Peter has the ears of many MPs, and is urging them to use the forthcoming Elections Bill to cap political donations, limit campaign spending, and end anonymous foreign funding once and for all. Consider taking this matter up with your MP.

From Trump’s BBC threats to Musk fuelling the far-right, the US is interfering in British politics. We need to act now to protect our democracy

by Peter Geoghegan, Nov 13

https://youtu.be/wBTUjm5fx8A

Yesterday, for the second time in three months, I was in the House of Commons giving evidence to MPs. This time I was talking to the women and equalities select committee about foreign funding of political extremism in Britain.

The committee is, rightly, concerned about community cohesion after violent anti-immigration protests.

I told them what I’ve long said here. We are witnessing concerted efforts to undermine British democracy and its institutions.

Trump threatening the BBC. Elon Musk speaking at a Tommy Robinson rally in London. Silicon Valley algorithms turning extremism into profit.

And every month here at Democracy for Sale we uncover more foreign - particularly US - money and influence washing up on British shores.

Yesterday I told MPs that Britain’s outdated election laws make it alarmingly easy to funnel ‘dark money’ through anonymous donor-advised funds and offshore vehicles.

Millions of pounds have already reached British think tanks and campaigns this way. And now, with cryptocurrency donations becoming a new loophole, the problem is about to get even harder to trace.

I also told them about how sources I have within the US Christian Right have told me about the movement’s plans to get ever more involved in British politics, in support of Nigel Farage’s Reform and the right-wing of the Conservative party.

Some MPs were visibly shocked. They should be.

But there’s hope.

We now have a rare window to clean up British politics. The forthcoming Elections Bill gives us a chance to cap political donations, limit campaign spending, and end anonymous foreign funding once and for all.

That’s why Democracy for Sale is pushing so hard to make sure this opportunity isn’t missed. If we don’t act now, the next election could be fought in the shadow of foreign billionaires, crypto wallets and dark-money think tanks.

We have lots of investigations in the works about money and influence in British politics - thanks to the support of paid subscribers like you.

You can watch my evidence - and many more Democracy for Sale videos - our YouTube channel.

Thank you for all your support and please share this widely. As I said in Parliament yesterday, we need to act now, before it’s too late.

Peter