Reform UK received £72 million from crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne within only two days.
Each donated £36 million, exceeding each major British party’s annual donations last year when combined.
Delo said his money would challenge Britain’s established political parties, while Harborne linked his support directly to Reform’s economic policies.
Delo Makes Record Reform UK Donation
BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo announced his £36 million donation on Friday, reportedly the largest individual political donation in British history.
His latest gift was more than four times the £8 million he had previously donated to Reform.
Delo scheduled £1 million monthly payments through August 2029, the latest possible general election date.
The money was prepaid because of possible government limits on large donations, according to the AP.
Reform said it would recruit “the brightest and best minds” and support 400 campaign managers.
Harborne matched Delo’s £36 million on Saturday. The Thailand-based Tether investor had donated £15 million since the last election.
Harborne cited a “competitive spirit” and said he expected no personal benefit.
Different Reasons Behind Reform UK Funding
Harborne said Reform’s policies could attract investment to grow the economy and fund healthcare and education.
Delo presented his donation as a challenge to Britain’s traditional two-party political system.
“While people talk about the health of ‘our democracy,’ doing all they can to make sure it is a cartel, I just want a level playing field,” Delo said.
The Liberal Democrats criticized the donations and urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to impose limits on political contributions.
“Farage wants to bring Trump’s America to our shores by buying his way into power,” spokeswoman Lisa Smart said. “He treats Downing Street like it’s a square on a Monopoly board.”
UK Donation Rules Face Renewed Scrutiny
British law currently places no ceiling on what a UK-based donor can give a political party.
Cryptocurrency political donations have been prohibited since March, although Delo and Harborne did not make their contributions in crypto.
Labour has capped donations from British expatriates at £100,000 and plans the same limit for newly returned citizens.
Since March, anyone donating more than £100,000 annually must have been on the electoral register for 12 months. Sheffield-born Delo said he plans to return from Hong Kong.
UK political parties collected £64.8 million in donations last year, according to Electoral Commission figures.
The Metropolitan Police began investigating Reform over alleged foreign donations following a Channel 4 News undercover report about officials discussing ways to mask foreign money.
Farage is separately under parliamentary investigation over an unreported £5 million gift from Harborne. He says it was a personal gift unrelated to politics.
