Reform UK secures unprecedented £36m backing from crypto entrepreneur
Constantvpn.com – Reform UK has received a £36m contribution from British cryptocurrency billionaire Ben Delo, setting a new record for the largest individual donation made to a UK political party.
Delo, who was born in Sheffield and has previously given Reform £4m, said he was committing the money to ensure the party could compete with its established rivals. He plans to support Reform at a rate of £1m each month until the latest possible general election date in 2029, but has chosen to provide the entire amount immediately.
His decision reflects concern that future legislation could restrict very large political gifts. UK-based donors currently face no ceiling on the sums they may give to parties, although Labour has introduced a £100,000 limit for donations from British citizens living abroad.
“Unlike the people who express mock concern for the health of ‘our democracy’ while doing everything they can to keep it as a cartel, I want a fair fight and a level playing field.”
Delo argued that Reform should devote more of its energy to preparing for office instead of continually trying to raise enough money to match larger parties.
“My conclusion from Reform’s recent troubles is that they should spend less time trying to raise funds to compete on equal terms and more time preparing for government.”
Nigel Farage, Reform’s leader, described the donation as an honour and said he was humbled by Delo’s support. The £36m sum surpasses the previous benchmark for a political contribution by a living person. In 2025, Thailand-based crypto investor Christopher Harborne gave Reform a single £9m donation, then the biggest of its kind.
The Conservatives had previously received a £10m legacy, but that figure has now also been overtaken by Delo’s gift. The scale of the new donation underlines Reform’s growing ability to attract major financial backing as it seeks to expand its national political presence.
Funding rules and a looming political dispute
Political donations are permitted only from eligible sources, including people registered on the UK electoral roll and companies carrying on business in the country. While eligibility rules apply, there is no general maximum for donations made by UK-based individuals.
The treatment of overseas British donors has become a significant point of contention. Reform and several of its supporters have strongly criticised Labour’s £100,000 cap on gifts from British citizens living outside the UK, arguing that it could restrict the party’s ability to raise funds.
The government is also seeking to prevent overseas voters who move to the UK from donating more than £100,000 during their first year after arrival. The proposal forms part of the Representation of the People Bill, which is due for its second reading in the House of Lords on Monday.
Delo has said previously that he intends to return from Hong Kong to the UK so that he can continue to support Reform. His latest decision to transfer the full £36m in advance would remove uncertainty over whether any later legal changes might affect the planned monthly donations.
Reform faces continuing scrutiny
The record contribution arrives while Reform’s fundraising practices remain under examination. Police have announced an investigation into allegations that the party breached laws governing foreign funding, following claims broadcast by Channel 4 News. Reform has denied wrongdoing and said it will cooperate with the inquiry.
Farage is separately being investigated by the parliamentary standards commissioner over whether a £5m cash gift from Harborne should have been declared when Farage became an MP before the 2024 election. Farage has maintained that the payment was a private gift, unrelated to parliamentary duties or political activity, and therefore did not need to be registered.
The Metropolitan Police is also examining whether payments made to Reform during the weeks before the last general election complied with donation law. That inquiry includes contributions made directly to the party by Fiona Cottrell, the mother of George Cottrell, a longtime Farage ally.
Investigators are additionally looking at payments involving a company controlled by Reform deputy leader Richard Tice. The company received £1m from Fiona Cottrell in June 2024.
Delo himself was granted an unconditional pardon by US President Donald Trump last year in relation to a Bank Secrecy Act violation. The pardon concerned events separate from his support for Reform UK.
Opposition parties call for tighter limits
Labour responded to the £36m donation by arguing that Farage and Reform could not avoid questions over their finances through fundraising success.
“Reform UK can’t buy their way out of questions about sleaze, criminal mates and dodgy finances.”
A Labour spokesperson said Farage remained “up to his neck in scandal” and urged the party to cooperate fully with police investigations and address the concerns raised.
The Liberal Democrats also used the announcement to renew their demand for a cap on political donations. Lisa Smart, the party’s Cabinet Office spokesperson, accused Farage of seeking to use wealth as a route to power.
“He’s trying to get into Number 10 as if it’s a stop on a monopoly board.”
Smart said that limits on political donations were necessary to protect democratic confidence, and called on Andy Burnham to introduce a cap.
The dispute highlights a broader question for voters: whether existing donation rules provide enough transparency and balance when a single supporter can supply a party with resources on a scale normally built through years of membership fees, smaller gifts and fundraising. Delo’s contribution is lawful under the current framework if the eligibility requirements are met, but its exceptional size is likely to intensify the argument over whether those rules should change.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Reform receives record 36m donation?
Reform receives record 36m donation is the main topic of this guide. The article explains the context, practical details, and next steps readers should understand.
Why does Reform receives record 36m donation matter?
Reform receives record 36m donation matters because readers are looking for a useful answer, not just a short summary. Good content should match search intent and help them decide what to do next.