PM urged to act on unlimited political donations after pledge to ‘go further’

September 1, 2026 - Transparency International UK has urged the Prime Minister to commit to new political finance legislation in the next King’s Speech if a donations cap is not added to the Representation of the People Bill tomorrow.  

The call follows questions to the Prime Minister from Labour MPs Dame Emily Thornberry and Stella Creasy in Parliament today over the growing influence of big money in UK politics.  

In response to Stella Creasy, who asked whether the Government would still be open to a donations cap, the Prime Minister said the Representation of the People Bill was “a start”, the Government “do need to go further” and that he had an “open mind” about further measures. 

Research by Transparency International UK shows how quickly political funding has changed. In 2015, just one per cent of private donations came from individuals and companies giving £1 million or more. By 2024, this had risen to 35 per cent. 

The Representation of the People Bill will be debated by MPs tomorrow. Transparency International UK are supporting amendments tabled for debate to control the money in politics, including Stella Creasy’s New Clause 120, which would introduce an immediate cap on political donations set at £500,000, reducing to £100,000 in the second year, and requiring the Government to set a permanent donations cap thereafter. 

Duncan Hames, Director of Policy and Programmes at Transparency International UK, said: 

“MPs have rightly been determined to strengthen measures proposed by Keir Starmer’s government. The Prime Minister may not have had time to get on board yet, but he knows this cannot be the end of the debate on political finance. We simply cannot afford for this to be kicked into the long grass. 

“The scale of big money in UK politics has changed dramatically in recent years, with a growing share coming from a small number of mega donors. Without urgent action, parties risk becoming increasingly reliant on a handful of extremely wealthy backers which will only serve to deepen concerns that big money buys access and influence. 

“There is already clear recognition by MPs and the public that allowing individuals to give unlimited sums cannot continue. The Prime Minister should commit to bring forward his own legislation in the next King’s Speech that delivers the change he has repeatedly said our politics needs.”