Reform given huge donations by crypto currency billionaires

These donations are a serious threat to democracy.

They clearly think there is something in it for them if UK moves further to the right. Greedy people feeding their already inflated coffers. Makes you sick.

Two non- U.K. residents influencing the way one political party forms its policies together with the massive ability to proselytize itself before an election has zero to do with democracy

Well it certainly shows that the only way they think Reform has any chance is to buy their way in , and of course with the shining example of Trump who now is planning to bribe voters to vote for him, we see exactly how these people think that they can cheat and con their way into politics. There are already enough sleazy types , liars and cheats around as it is. Even if I should ever lower myself to thing of voting for Reform, thinking that they can influence me by money would immediately mean I would never vote for them. As a uk citizen and a woman, I have voted in every election that I was able to do, even once , due to an unexpected business trip, driving from London to the nottingham area to vote and then driving back to london to continue with my business. This was when it was short notice and I was unable to organize anything else. But in my view, if you do not vote, then you cannot complain about what happens next. I have lived in countries with dictators and others where you do not trust the security of the votes. So I intend to continue voting all my life, but the only influence this sort of tacky behaviour by selfish people who want to have influence, not for the good of all but for themselves, will have on me is to make sure that I encourage all other women to vote and I have a very long memory and will never be voting for such people. As for Trump and co, they make enough mess of their own countries and should keep out of making comments or trying to influence or interfere with the UK. (Mind you, with the way that Trump behaves with lunatic suggestions and changing his mind from one minute to another, any party or person that he recommends will be more or less doomed to failure, so perhaps he has his uses!)

Fallingstar

Kind of throws Farage’s claims to be a man of the people out of the window. He will be a man who protects the interests of his billionaire buddies, same as Trump.
Not that I suppose his followers will bat an eyelid. Until it affects them. Just as Trump et al are now losing MAGA support because his supporters are feeling it in their pockets.

The Man-Of-The-People Farage who raves about The Establishment being out to get him?

But he seems to have so very much money swilling around (and plenty to spare) that I assumed he'd bought his way into The Establishment a long time ago.

So if Labour had been offered that kind of money they would turn it down-I think not! I think they would find a way to keep it.

The Representation of the People Bill has its second reading in the House of Lords this afternoon. Anyone interested in watching the debate …

www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/313b6c64-e16f-425f-b44d-b32b0c0fd796

Article from David Hollas, The Receipts UK on X:

x.com/david_hollas/status/2099378426285002867

The Reform party position is that the donations are permissible and will not have to be repaid … well, they would say that, wouldn’t they, but as Hollas points out, there’s a gamble if they start to spend it now.

Extract:

If Reform do end up owing tens of millions back, the obvious question is who covers it. Richard Tice has propped the party up before, converting loans into donations and routing money through his companies. But look closely at the scale, and it doesn't add up to a rescue fund. Everything Tice has personally put into Reform over the years amounts to low millions at most, nowhere near what would be needed here. And the last time he converted a loan into a donation, the money appears to have originated with Fiona Cottrell, not Tice himself, moving through a company that had just over ten thousand pounds of capital on its books. That company is now under Metropolitan Police investigation, and Tice's donations have already been flagged to the National Crime Agency. Doing it all again, at this scale, with police already watching, would be reckless even by Reform's recent standards. Which leaves Reform with a straightforward bet. Spend the £72 million now, while it's popular and useful, and hope either the Lords water the bill down or nobody ever forces the issue. Or sit on it, cautiously, and let the hesitation itself tell you what their lawyers actually think. Either way, they're gambling with a sum of money that took British politics by surprise this week, against a piece of legislation written, by the government's own account, with exactly this scenario in mind.

Grantanow

These donations are a serious threat to democracy.

Furious and a lot more.
Laws asap which limit contributions to all Parties (and Companies that engage in politics as in standing for parliament , as I'm pretty sure Farage still sneakily has Reform registered as a charity or something? Anyone put me right on this?
and limitations definitely on contributions that do not originate in the UK or companies not registered in Uk or persons that are domiciled elsewhere despite having UK passport? close all the loopholes?

Grantanow

These donations are a serious threat to democracy.

So do any other donations, potentially.
Same as always.

Yes, Farage cant have it if is it against Parliamentary rules[I cant understand why, if the rules are clear, why there is a hoo haa[perhaps things havent been tested out before??]

Farage, man of the people.
Yes I think he is. But the Uk people are not giving him enough for what he thinks the party needs?
Read something about, wanting "top" people to write policies etc. Cant remember the rest of what he said he thinks he needs it for.

I don't think its right that the Bill is retrospective it should be from the date it becomes law. How can it be ok that you can take money off another party just because you don't like it. Some people are now opting out of contributing to the Labour party through their Union subs saying they didn't realise you could do this perhaps Labour have opened a tin of worms.

It’s not retrospective, it backdates the illegal donations to March 2026. That has been the case since the bill was first introduced, it’s not newly designed to stop Reform doing something they didn’t know about already. Reform are trying it on.

The bill hasn't passed yet so it's not law that's how I see it.

Am not sure why people refuse to see the writing on the wall with regard to accepting such huge amounts from people who could jeopardise our democracy by expecting to become politically involved without having been elected. Delo has already exerted influence on the judiciary in the US by having Trump intervene and swerve a charge for money laundering. That is political interference right there. And he has just made the 72 million eye watering donation to Farage. This is a man who obviously buys influence and favour. He has form. Also crypto currencies are renown for money laundering so am imagining that is still going on.

Peacelilydilly

The bill hasn't passed yet so it's not law that's how I see it.

Finance laws often have retrospective clauses, it’s not a newly invented concept.

Casdon

Peacelilydilly

The bill hasn't passed yet so it's not law that's how I see it.

Finance laws often have retrospective clauses, it’s not a newly invented concept.

But it wouldn't happen if Labour has been given these donations.

Peacelilydilly

I don't think its right that the Bill is retrospective it should be from the date it becomes law. How can it be ok that you can take money off another party just because you don't like it. Some people are now opting out of contributing to the Labour party through their Union subs saying they didn't realise you could do this perhaps Labour have opened a tin of worms.

Agree with all of this.

I’m furious that Labour have made themselves look ridiculous,
They had the chance only very recently to cap the amounts that a donor could give to a political party, and the Unions protested so they caved in to them and didn’t vote for a cap.
Now they are wriggling on the hook because Reform have been given so much and they wish they’d voted differently.
It all looks very much like sour grapes.

There have been several past cases of retrospective legislation.

researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06454/SN06454.pdf

The Government's policy before introducing a legislative provision having retrospective effect is to balance the conflicting public interests and to consider whether the general public interest in the law not being changed retrospectively may be outweighed by any competing public interest.

Many would have predicted that as soon as the government announced it was going to change the law on political donations, that the party, which by its own admission has few British resident donors would seek to capitalise before the door was closed:

Former Reform Head of Policy James Orr to undercover journalist Louis Wilson

We just don't have British resident donors, British entities, that would support us. That's the grim reality... there are quite a few people in your position... who can't declare [funding].

Substantive legislative changes take a very long time to make their way through both Houses of Parliament because of the lengthy and complex processes involved.

The work towards the Representation of the People Bill started in October 2024 with a six month consultation with various official bodies, resulting in a policy paper published in July 2025. Work resumed after summer recess including the commissioning of the Rycroft Review published on 25 March 2026.

The Rycroft Review: Report of the independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics

www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-rycroft-review-report-of-the-independent-review-into-countering-foreign-financial-influence-and-interference-in-uk-politics/the-rycroft-review-report-of-the-independent-review-into-countering-foreign-financial-influence-and-interference-in-uk-politics

The Representation of the People Bill 2024-2026 was introduced in the House of Commons on 12 February 2026, had its second reading on 2 March 2026 after which it entered a very complex committee stage. It had its third reading on 2 September 2026 immediately after summer recess.

Stages are here:

bills.parliament.uk/bills/4080/stages

Rycroft’s recommendations were incorporated as the Bill progressed.

Now the Bill is with the House of Lords and has its second reading and debate this afternoon.

Since Starmer's days Labour think they can just change any law that doesn't suit their requirements. He is probably behind all this. It is ludicrous to think that they can pass a retrospective law just to get their own way. Labour and the other parties are hardly whiter than white.

Why do people not read and take in facts provided on threads? You can’t just make up your own interpretation and ignore the detailed explanation of precedent and due process with issues like this.

Crypto is like AI - I understand neither so will leave both well alone. I don't feel I'm missing out

Labour politicians and Union bods are looking really scared when interviewed. As well they might. Money talks and those with the most money talk loudist.

Boz

Labour politicians and Union bods are looking really scared when interviewed. As well they might. Money talks and those with the most money talk loudist.

As Trump and his buddies have proved.

Hardly a ringing endorsement.

Oreo

I’m furious that Labour have made themselves look ridiculous,
They had the chance only very recently to cap the amounts that a donor could give to a political party, and the Unions protested so they caved in to them and didn’t vote for a cap.
Now they are wriggling on the hook because Reform have been given so much and they wish they’d voted differently.
It all looks very much like sour grapes.

They have made themselves look totally ridiculous. They are also green with envy and running scared.

It was hilarious seeing Rayner (of all people!) ranting on about money morals. 🤣🤣

As others have said if Labour had been given £73 million they would have pocketed it straight away and never looked back.