The Electoral Commission published the 2006 Statement of Accounts for the major political parties yesterday. Labour's can be downloaded here. They show the outgoing Leader left the Party with debts of £24.86 million.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6179334.stm

The Mail and BBC are reporting a 'new Labour funding scandal'. Councillors have to pay some of their allowances to the Party.

Yes...and?

As party members, we all have to pay some of our income to the party. Councillors have to pay a little bit more - and their income is made up, in part, by their allowance.

How is this even a story? The money BELONGS to the Councillors!

Am I missing something?

What do you think will be the outcome of the party spending review?