LONDON, September 12 — Reform UK leader Nigel Farage announced on Monday that his party had received a second donation of £36 million (about US$45 million) in 48 hours, following a first donation of the same amount reported on Saturday. The two gifts, totaling £72 million (about US$90 million), are among the largest political donations in modern British history. Farage said the latest donation came from a British businessman who wishes to remain anonymous.
The first was given by Christopher Harborne, a UK-born billionaire and cryptocurrency entrepreneur based in Thailand, who has previously donated to Reform UK and other political causes.
Reporting rules and the record
Under UK political finance rules, donations above £7,500 (about US$9,400) to a political party must be reported to the Electoral Commission, which publishes details quarterly. The record shows the £36 million (about US$45 million) figure is more than double the previous record for a single UK political donation — £16.5 million (about US$20.6 million) given to the Conservative Party by businessman Mohamed Mansour in 2023. In 2024, Reform UK received £40 million (about US$50 million) in total donations, according to Electoral Commission data.
The party has said all donations are properly declared and comply with UK law. The Electoral Commission has not commented on the latest donations.
Political context
Reform UK has seen a surge in support since the 2024 general election, in which it won five seats in the House of Commons and received 14.3% of the national vote. The party has been polling at around 20% in recent national polls, putting it in second place behind Labour. Farage, who has led Reform UK since 2021, has said the party aims to challenge the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and has described the donations as a sign that his party is becoming a serious political force.
Reform UK’s policies include lower taxes, stricter immigration controls, and withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights. Reform UK has faced criticism over the source of its funding, with opponents questioning the influence of wealthy donors.
The Labour Party and the Conservative Party have both received significant donations in recent years. The donations will allow Reform UK to expand its campaigning and staffing ahead of the next election. The next UK general election must be held by August 2029.
