Open letter to Andy Burnham

Dear Andy,

British democracy is at a crossroads.

We are seeing extraordinary sums of private money pour into politics. Last year, one individual gave £9 million to Reform in a single day.

Look at America. We have seen how quickly big money can reshape a democracy.

We cannot let that happen here.

You have said: “I do think there should be a cap on political donations.”

Now is the moment to prove it.

The Elections Bill gives you a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put a meaningful limit on the power of big money in British politics.

We understand there are concerns about how a cap might affect membership organisations, including organisations whose political funds are built from contributions from millions of individual members.

But that is a problem of design, not a reason to abandon reform. The rules can distinguish between genuinely collective contributions from a membership organisation and a multi-million-pound cheque from a single individual.

We are deeply concerned that you are now backing away from your commitment.

Please don't.

Stella Creasy's amendment gives you the chance to act.

Support it. Stand up to big money. Put the integrity of our democracy before political convenience.

You said there should be a cap. Stand by your words.

Yours sincerely,