Andy Burnham is days from becoming prime minister on 20 July, and already three battles are converging: a proposed cap on political donations, a demand for more women in his cabinet, and a vacancy at the top of Labour’s machine.
Labour MP Alex Sobel is putting forward a plan to cap individual donations at £1m in an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill, which is back in Parliament this month. There are currently no restrictions on the amount UK-based donors can give to parties or politicians. Sobel’s cap would not apply to trade unions, Labour’s biggest donors. The government could reduce the cap after a transitional period ending in 2029, he said.
“Andy Burnham faces demands for a donations cap, cabinet gender balance, and a party shake-up as he prepares to become PM on 20 July.”
Burnham has privately backed a cap. In an email exchange in May with Shaun Bowler, founder of the grassroots campaign WakeUpGB, Burnham wrote that a cap “would guard against the perception of any one party being unduly influenced or swayed by one person or organisation”. He added: “My gut feeling would suggest somewhere in the region of £500k.”
But the bill is still in the House of Commons, and Sir Keir Starmer has not supported the cap. The Starmer government could pull the bill and wait for Burnham to take over on 20 July. If Burnham becomes PM, he could try to bring in a cap once the bill reaches the Lords.
At the same time, Labour’s General Secretary Hollie Ridley has told staff she is stepping down to allow a replacement “to work alongside a new leader once they are elected”. Ridley, a Starmer ally, was chosen after Labour’s 2024 election win. The National Executive Committee will now choose a new general secretary, with a ratifying vote at annual conference in September. Among the names floated are Joe Fortune, current General Secretary of the Co-operative Party; Christina McAnea, former Unison general secretary; Sam Lehal, who bid for the role in 2024; Emma Reynolds, who worked in Starmer’s No 10; and Michael Lavelle, Burnham’s campaign organiser in the Makerfield by-election and Labour’s North West director. Burnham will hope to stamp his political imprint on the party through the next appointment.
And the composition of Burnham’s cabinet is already a flashpoint. Harriet Harman, Labour’s former deputy leader, said the number of women in Burnham’s cabinet is “a central issue” for female Labour MPs.
Burnham inherits a party that accepted £20.7m in donations in the first three months of 2026, with Reform UK receiving the most (£9.2m). Last year, Christopher Harborne gave Reform £9m, the largest single donation by a living person. The Electoral Reform Society says the lack of a cap “means that a handful of very wealthy individuals can continue to assert undue influence over our politics”.