Reform leads other parties in donations ahead of May elections

"Reform UK received more than 5.4m in large donations in the final three months of last year, more than any other political party, new figures from the Electoral Commission show. This included another big donation of 3m from cryptocurrency investor and aviation entrepreneur Christopher Harborne. However, even without this sum Nigel Farage's party still raised more than the Conservatives, who received 2.4m in donations, Labour, who received 1.9m, and the Liberal Democrats, who received 1.3m during the period."

"In August, Harborne made a record 9m donation to Reform, the largest ever single sum given by a living person to a British political party. The businessman, who is British but lives in Thailand, has previously given large sums to the Conservatives under Boris Johnson's leadership, as well as Reform's predecessor the Brexit Party in 2019 and 2020."

"Reform has been consistently leading in national opinion polls since last spring, although its popularity has dipped slightly since the start of the year to its lowest level since April 2025. The boost in Reform's finances comes ahead of crucial May elections in Scotland, Wales and around 130 English councils."

Reform UK secured more than 5.4 million in large donations during the final quarter of 2025, exceeding contributions to the Conservative Party (2.4 million), Labour (1.9 million), and Liberal Democrats (1.3 million). Christopher Harborne, a cryptocurrency investor and aviation entrepreneur, provided 3 million of Reform's total. Even excluding Harborne's donation, Reform still raised more than the Conservatives. This financial boost precedes significant May elections across Scotland, Wales, and approximately 130 English councils. Reform has maintained leading positions in national opinion polls since spring, though support has slightly declined to its lowest level since April 2025. Harborne previously donated a record 9 million to Reform in August, the largest single donation from a living person to a British political party. Additional notable Reform donors included biotech entrepreneur David Grainger and double glazing businessman Gary Dutton, each contributing 250,000.

Read at www.bbc.com