A major political row has erupted over the surge in donations to Reform UK, with the Liberal Democrats warning that the scale of funding—including significant sums from crypto and corporate sources—threatens democratic integrity. The party has announced plans to introduce a donation cap by amending the Representation of the People Bill in the Lords, arguing that current residency rules are insufficient to prevent foreign influence. Labour has also criticized the Conservative government’s inaction on political finance reforms, while Reform UK’s leader has suggested a future government could block unions from funding Labour in retaliation for opposing large donations. Critics fear the donations signal a dangerous shift toward American-style corporate and billionaire-backed politics.
Union statement comes after Nigel Farage says a Reform UK government would stop unions funding Labour if they block £72m donations to his partyThe Liberal Democrats have said that they will try to introduce a cap on the amount people donate to political parties by amending the representation of the people bill as it goes through the Lords.Lisa Smart, the Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokesperson, said:We can’t keep playing whack-a-mole with each new attempt by Farage to sell out our democracy.Labour’s residency requirements aren’t good enough and the Conservatives simply sat on their hands whilst in power. For decades governments of both colours have stood by and done nothing.The scale of donations made to Reform in recent days is unprecedented in British politics and should deeply concern anyone who cares about the health and integrity of our democracy.We cannot afford to see the Americanisation of our politics, with out of control political spending, funded by stratospheric sums of crypto and corporate cash. These donations show clearly whose side Reform are on, with crypto billionaires, foreign and powerful corporate interests lining up to pour in eye-watering sums of money to advance their agendas. Continue reading...
