Crypto-Billionaires Donate Record Amounts to Reform UK

Reform UK has received two massive donations from crypto-billionaires Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo, totaling £72 million. This is the largest amount donated to a British political party in history, equivalent to three-quarters of the money spent at the 2024 general election by all parties combined.

The Thailand-based Mr. Harborne donated £36 million to the party and another £5 million directly to Nigel Farage personally, sparking an investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner for the latter donation. Mr. Delo also gave £36 million to Reform UK, saying his gift was meant to create a 'level playing field' with other parties.

Both donors have denied any expectation of receiving something in return for their generosity, stating that they want nothing and will not be given a peerage, knighthood, or government contract if Reform comes to power. Reform UK has vowed to use the funds for research and policy development, as well as hiring top talent.

The donations have reignited calls for a cap on political donations, with Labour MP Stella Creasy saying that the amounts show a limit 'cannot come too soon to protect British democracy'. Transparency International UK's Duncan Hames echoed this sentiment, stating that the donations make an 'irrefutable case' for a cap.