UMVA has learned that Nigel Farage's party, Reform, has received a staggering £7m in donations from two men, Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo, exceeding the total amount given to the Conservatives and Labour in the first three months of the year.
The massive donation, which accounts for more than a third of Reform's total £9,936,393 received during that period, has raised eyebrows among politicians and campaigners. Harborne and Delo's contribution has sparked concerns about the influence of wealthy donors on British politics.
Christopher Harborne, a billionaire investor, made headlines last year when he donated a record-breaking £9m to Reform. According to information obtained by UMVA, he is the sixth-richest person in the UK, with an estimated fortune of £18.2 billion. His wealth, however, may be even greater, as some of his assets are held overseas or remain unidentified.
Ben Delo, co-founder of the crypto trading platform BitMEX, has also made his fortune in the cryptocurrency business. Despite pleading guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act in 2022, Delo was pardoned by Donald Trump last year. His donation to Reform, along with Harborne's, has significant implications for the party's finances.
The total amount of donations received by UK-registered political parties in the first quarter of 2026 has increased by 214% from the same period last year, reaching £24,716,802. Campaigners argue that this highlights the growing concern about the role of wealthy donors in shaping British politics.
Olly Buston, chief executive of the campaign group Clean Up Westminster, said that the current system allows a small number of wealthy donors to have a disproportionate influence on politics. "The rich and powerful shouldn't be able to buy themselves a louder voice in our democracy," he emphasized.
The donations to Reform have also raised questions about the future of cryptocurrency in British politics. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Sir Keir announced plans to ban cryptocurrency donations to political parties, following a review of foreign financial interference.
Nigel Farage, a prominent advocate for cryptocurrency, has emerged as a leading voice on the issue among British politicians. As a shareholder in the British Bitcoin company Stack, Farage has promoted the use of cryptocurrency, sparking debate about its role in politics.
