Burnham drops support for political donations cap weeks after privately backing it

Andy Burnham will not back amendments to the elections bill capping individual donations at £500,000, reversing private commitments made in May 2026 to campaigner Shaun Bowler. Burnham had called the cap a guard against undue influence and wanted it "reduced over time." His retreat narrows reform momentum as the Representation of the People bill moves through Parliament with no domestic donations cap.