Burnham will not support a cap on political donations — The Guardian World
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has decided not to support amendments to the Elections Bill that would impose a limit on the amount of a single political donation from an individual or organisation. The decision has caused dissatisfaction among activists and Labour Party MPs who advocate reform of party financing, The Guardian World reports.
According to the publication's government sources, the prime minister will not support these amendments when the bill returns to the House of Commons next week for its final stages of consideration. In May, Burnham wrote in a letter to electoral reform campaigner Sean Bowler that, in his view, the donation cap could be around £500,000.
Trade union position
The decision not to support the limit followed a lobbying campaign by trade unions that support Labour. They said the proposed changes could undermine their ability to make contributions to the party.
Last month, the GMB union contacted 80 MPs who are its members, warning of potentially significant unintended consequences of such a limit. The GMB also noted that trade unions are already subject to statutory regulation of political spending that does not apply to other membership organisations.
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According to sources familiar with the process, a donation cap is not a priority for Burnham, and the government does not want to enter into conflict with Labour's biggest supporters over the issue.
MPs' proposals
Labour MP Stella Creasy tabled an amendment on a cap on political donations. It initially provided for a £100,000 limit, but the MP intends to revise it by setting a £500,000 ceiling with a gradual reduction until ministers determine the final level.
Another Labour MP, Alex Sobel, proposed a £1 million cap. Creasy said that large donations allow millionaires to influence British politics. Darren Hughes, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said in turn that substantial contributions undermine trust in politics, as the public may ask what donors expect in return for their money.
The bill also provides for lowering the voting age to 16 and tightening donation rules to counter foreign interference. The government has already stated its intention to limit contributions from British citizens living abroad to £100,000.
