Burnham Abandons Support for Political Donation Cap Amidst Activist Anger

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has dropped his support for capping political donations, a move that has sparked anger among activists and Labour MPs who have long advocated for reforms in party funding. Government sources indicate that Burnham has decided against backing amendments to the elections bill that would limit the amount an individual or organization can contribute in a single donation.

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Millionaires are increasingly treating British politics as their plaything, splashing the cash to get the outcome they want and the next election as their cup final.

This decision follows a lobbying campaign by Labour's trade union backers, who expressed concerns that such reforms could hinder their capacity to donate to the party. The move represents a significant retreat from Burnham's earlier stance; just weeks prior, he had communicated his support for a donations cap of £500,000 to an electoral reform campaigner.

Activists and MPs critical of the decision voiced strong opposition. Stella Creasy, a Labour backbencher who has proposed an amendment for a donations cap, stated, "Millionaires are increasingly treating British politics as their plaything, splashing the cash to get the outcome they want and the next election as their cup final." She warned that the public would not forgive a missed opportunity to reform Westminster due to internal disagreements.

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Andy Burnham promised me a proper cap on political donations and a ‘wholesale culture change’ in Westminster.

Shaun Bowler, the campaigner to whom Burnham had previously pledged support, expressed disappointment, stating, "Andy Burnham promised me a proper cap on political donations and a ‘wholesale culture change’ in Westminster." He argued that if the government now refuses to back a cap, Burnham has broken his promise to voters. Bowler emphasized that large political donations are inherently undemocratic, creating influence regardless of politicians' intentions.

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Large political donations are not democratic. They create influence, whether politicians want to admit it or not.

Darren Hughes, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, echoed these concerns, noting that substantial donations erode public trust, leading people to question donors' expectations. He described a donations cap as a vital step toward ending the perception that politics is for sale and rebuilding trust, which is currently at historic lows. A Labour source, however, defended the elections bill, stating its focus is on delivering votes at 16 and strengthening rules against foreign interference.

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Huge donations have a corrosive effect on trust in politics as they leave the public wondering what donors expect in return for their money.