David Maddox: Continuing calls for changes to political party funding simply sound like empty rhetoric

Mr Maude’s comment was a rare moment of dry wit in a particularly acrimonious and poisonous set of exchanges in the Commons as the latest scandal on party donations took off following the now former Tory treasurer Peter Cruddas’ comments filmed by the Sunday Times.

For all the finger pointing and barracking it was hard to escape the feeling that they were and are all at it.

Labour leader Ed Miliband predictably went on the attack, David Cameron was not surprising absent but his stand-in Mr Maude’s response was to attack 13 years of the Labour government.

Nothing provokes the same level of vitriol in parliament as party donations and MPs are never shy in accusing the other sides. It is their political lifeblood and there is no real appetite for reform.

The Tories have been caught red-handed this time, but it was Tony Blair who was questioned by the police over cash for honours and changed government policy on tobacco advertising after F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone gave Labour £1 million.

The Lib Dems, meanwhile, are not squeaky clean, they accepted and never paid back £2.4m allegedly stolen by the businessman Michael Brown.

And although, not in the same league, questions have been asked about Sir Brian Souter’s donations to the SNP and the influence that brings. A close eye is being kept on when and if allowing gay marriage will be put forward by the Scottish Government, given Sir Brian’s opposition to withdrawing clause 28 in Scottish schools.

The problem is that none of the parties can agree on a party financing structure and the issue comes up only when a new scandal is revealed.

The Lib Dem solution of state funding at a time of austerity cuts and tax rises seems ludicrous. It also would mean that parties would be funded not to fail. It would prevent their replacement in the future by new political movements. Had it been in place at the beginning of the 20th century then the Liberals may have been able to hold off the challenge from Labour.

Yet even on limits, parties struggle to find common ground. The Tories propose a £50,000 annual cap, which Labour claim would hand the Conservatives a huge advantage, especially as the Tories want it to apply to trade unions.

On the other side, political parties are seen by the banks as too big to fail in what clearly seems to be a relationship of mutual understanding.

At a time when good businesses struggle to get loans Labour is able to remain around £10m in debt and the Tories have a £17m overdraft. The Lib Dems negotiated a £1.3m overdraft as a result of going into government.