Record £36m donations to Reform UK spark debate over party funding rules
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Reform UK disclosed two £36 million donations, bringing its total fundraising this year to over £70 million, prompting calls for tighter regulations on political contributions.
Reform UK announced two donations of £36 million each over the weekend, raising its total fundraising for the year to more than £70 million. The party said the money will be used to recruit policy experts and up to 400 campaign managers for target constituencies.
The influx of cash comes as the party faces internal challenges and a decline in poll numbers, while the governing Labour Party and the opposition Conservatives report more positive internal moods. Labour leader Andy Burnham has so far ruled out calling an early general election, and a senior Downing Street source said the donations are not seen as a decisive factor in that decision.
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner declined to comment on whether the contributions from cryptocurrency investors Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo would be affected by any potential rule changes. The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party have called for a cap on large donations from individuals residing in the UK. Burnham has expressed openness to discussing reforms but did not join a Labour initiative earlier this month to tighten donation limits.
The Electoral Commission is reviewing possible additional measures, and party officials say pressure for stricter rules is likely to increase. Government officials maintain that the recent donations are not being treated as a turning point in the ongoing debate over political financing.