Reform UK has pulled off a remarkable feat, receiving a whopping £36 million donation not once, but twice in just two days! This incredible news comes from cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne, who claims he was inspired by a competitive spirit to match a record-breaking donation revealed late last Friday. Harborne, who operates out of Thailand, expressed in the Telegraph that his contribution aimed to support the brightest minds in policy-making, emphasizing the party’s need for a comprehensive plan for government reform.
In a statement from Reform UK, there’s a buzz surrounding the profile of this donor, especially considering Ben Delo, another crypto billionaire who previously made headlines with a similar donation. Harborne’s financial backing isn’t a one-off event; he’s already poured millions into Reform UK and even into the pockets of Nigel Farage, who is currently under scrutiny by the parliamentary standards commissioner. The investigation revolves around whether Farage properly declared a £5 million cash donation from Harborne as the 2024 election looms closer. Farage has insisted he had no obligation to declare this “purely private” transaction, claiming he’s already “accumulated enough wealth for the rest of my life”. He describes Reform UK as a “start-up party” without the historical benefits of long-established patronage.
Now, let’s not forget that Harborne had a bit of a rocky past. He received an unconditional pardon from former US President Donald Trump after admitting to a breach of anti-money laundering laws at his crypto trading platform, BitMEX. This event took place last year when he pleaded guilty. Meanwhile, it’s interesting to note that there are currently no limits on the amount of money UK-based donors can contribute to political parties. However, the Labour government has introduced a £100,000 cap on donations from Britons living overseas and intends to do something similar for those returning to the UK.
In 2025, there were nine donations of £1 million or more to various political parties, with Harborne’s £9 million donation to Reform UK topping the list. Labour was busy too, with five donations exceeding £1 million, totaling nearly £10 million, while the Conservatives managed three donations, each worth £1 million. The Labour party has raised concerns regarding Reform UK and Farage, claiming they are “drowning in sleaze and scandal.” They’ve also pointed out that it’s not just about lining their own pockets. Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Lisa Smart has been vocal, calling for emergency legislation to cap donations. Duncan Hames, Director of Policy and Programmes at Transparency International UK, weighed in as well, stating that the situation is spiraling out of control and it’s high time the government stepped in to implement an annual cap on political donations, and fast.
Bakalım, bu dev bağışlar Reform UK’nun geleceğinde ne gibi değişiklikler yaratacak? Bu işin sonu nereye varacak, merakla bekliyoruz…
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber