Actually- it is a relief that someone actually points out that the natural consequence of setting up the funding system as we- or rather actually the Conservatives- have is that there is now no alternative to the odd bit of stroking that goes on.  I think eliminating the direct government support for our democratic machinery was a mistake- giving the better off more influence in the process is not necessarily fair to all parties because as we all know they logically tend towards supporting the Conservatives- ergo the rule change by them.