LABOUR leadership hopeful Rebecca Long-Bailey has published a list of reforms designed to flush out "vested interests" from UK politics.

If she replaces current opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, the shadow business secretary has said she wants to end the "gentleman's club in Westminster", accusing donors of attempting to influence Government policy by giving large donations.

It comes after it was revealed the Conservative Party raised a £37 million war chest for the 2019 general election – three times as much as Labour received, and more than all other parties put together.

Her proposed reforms if she enters Downing Street include shining a light on corporate lobbying and banning MPs from taking second jobs.

Long-Bailey wants:

  • A ban on political donations from tax avoiders, tax evaders and those not domiciled in the UK, in a move dubbed "no influence without taxation".
  • To end secrecy in party funding by closing loopholes that allow "shell" companies to funnel money into politics, and end the donor clubs that hide the names of those gifting cash.
  • To introduce a corporate lobbying register covering in-house lobbyists and think tanks. The register would be extended to meetings with all senior government staff.
  • A "no delays" system where all large political donations accepted by political parties are declared immediately, including during an election campaign.
  • A ban on MPs taking paid second jobs, with exceptions for those working to keep a professional qualification such as nursing.
  • Tighter controls to prevent former ministers lobbying government for a minimum of five years after leaving office.

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Long-Bailey said: "The centralisation of power in Westminster has created a hotbed of collusion between the political class and corporations, and a revolving door between government departments and lobbyists.

"This is why I have called for democratic revolution - rapid devolution of power to regions and nations, as well as a democratically-elected senate outside of London to replace the unelected House of Lords."

She added: "As climate change takes hold, the government's decisions must be taken in the interests of our planet and the people, not fossil fuel companies whose economic interests lie in maintaining the catastrophic status quo.

"But until we end the gentleman's club in Westminster by stopping the corrupting influence of corporate money in politics, action on the climate emergency will lose out to vested interests buying policy."