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Foreign Money Fuels Reform UK’s Funding Surge and Sparks Calls for Stricter Rules
By Drooid · · How we work
Foreign Funding Fuels Reform UK’s Finances
An analysis of Electoral Commission data shows that roughly 80 % of Reform UK’s donations in the 2025-26 reporting year came from individuals or companies that were based abroad within the previous two years. By contrast, Labour received 0.15 % and the Conservatives 3.57 % of their donations from overseas sources during the same period. The bulk of the overseas inflow includes two record-breaking contributions of £36 million each from cryptocurrency entrepreneur Ben Delo (formerly based in Hong Kong) and Christopher Harborne (formerly based in Thailand). Those two gifts, amounting to £8 million and £15 million respectively, fell outside the 12-month window used for the 80 % calculation but underscore the party’s reliance on high-value foreign backers.
Government Response and Proposed Rules
In response, ministers are drafting tighter residency requirements for political donations, including a £100,000 cap on contributions from British citizens living abroad that would apply for the first twelve months after any return to the UK. The proposed changes would be back-dated to March, and an enhanced test would require donors to demonstrate an ongoing presence in the country. A government spokesperson clarified that the measures are not aimed specifically at Reform UK, noting “multiple precedents under successive administrations” to prevent donors from circumventing new rules.
Allegations of Illegal Donation Practices
Separately, Channel 4 and investigative group Verbatim released video from a sting operation in which senior Reform UK figures appeared to discuss disguising foreign donations. The footage prompted the resignation of Dan Jukes, Farage’s chief of staff, and policy director James Orr. Under electoral law, party donations must come from UK-registered voters or UK-registered companies, making the alleged schemes a potential breach.
Outlook and Potential Impact
If the proposed residency tests and caps are enacted, Reform UK could lose the ability to retain the twin £72 million in foreign contributions that arrived outside the analysis period. The debate highlights broader concerns about foreign influence in British politics and may prompt further scrutiny of donation reporting across all parties.