Carol Vorderman has joined 20 leading civil society figures from a wide range of sectors in calling on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to cap political donations – as he vowed to do in the days before he became Prime Minister.
The open letter comes as the PM faces calls to stick to his campaign pledge on political donations following reports the Government will not back a cap.
The letter calls on the new Government to take big money out of politics, crack down on political corruption and misconduct, and clean up the House of Lords.
As an immediate first step, it urges Burnham to use the Representation of the People Bill — expected to return to Parliament on Wednesday 2 September to introduce a low, hard cap on political donations, which polling shows is supported by 92% of the public.
Read the full open letter below.
Dear Prime Minister,
You have an immediate and historic opportunity to deliver highly popular policies to clean up Westminster.
The public are losing faith in our political system which feels rigged against ordinary people and as a result is not delivering on tackling the cost of living crisis and on making our country stronger, fairer and more sustainable.
There is overwhelming public support for bold action to strengthen our democracy in three key areas that align perfectly with your own vision:
- Ending the corrosive influence of money in politics
- Cracking down on political corruption and misconduct; lifting the lid on lobbying; and ending MPs second jobs (outside healthcare and a few other vital roles)
- Cleaning up the House of Lords
The Labour manifesto promised action in each area and the recent King’s speech included legislative vehicles to make change possible. But the Government’s proposals do not go far enough.
We urge you to address this, starting with the Representation of the People Bill which will return to the House of Commons in September and is the opportunity to introduce a low and hard cap on all political donations which 92% of the public support.
We know you agree that politics should not be for sale. Please take action now to ensure it will not be under your leadership.
Yours sincerely
Carol Vorderman (Broadcaster and Writer)
Asad Rehman (Chief Executive, Friends of the Earth England Wales and Northern Ireland)
Duncan Hames (Director of Policy, Transparency International UK)
Anna Taylor (Executive Director, Food Foundation)
Susan Hawley (Executive Director, Spotlight on Corruption)
Areeba Hamid (Co-Exec Director, Greenpeace UK)
Tom Brake (CEO, Unlock Democracy)
Caroline Cerny (Deputy Chief Executive, Action on Smoking and Health)
Jess Garland (Director of Policy and Research, Electoral Reform Society)
D’Arcy Williams (CEO, Bite Back 2030)
Kyle Taylor (Founding Director Fair Vote)
Veronica Hawking (Campaign Director, 38 Degrees)
Jennifer Nadel (CEO, Compassion in Politics)
Neil Thorns (Director of Advocacy, CAFOD)
Ben Rich (Chief Executive, Radix Big Tent)
Michael Sheldrick (Chief Policy, Impact and Government Affairs Officer, Global Citizen)
Gavin Hayman (Executive Director, Open Contracting Partnership)
Osai Ojigho (Head of Policy and Influencing, Christian Aid)
Will Snell (Chief Executive Officer, Fairness Foundation)
Will Stronge (Director, The Autonomy Institute)
Olly Buston (Director Clean Up Westminster)