A second billionaire from the UK has made a significant donation of nearly $49 million to the far-right Reform UK party, matching a similar contribution from another businessman the previous day.
In a piece for the Daily Telegraph on Saturday, Christopher Harborne, the donor, described his $48.7 million (£36 million) gift as a “philanthropic contribution” to the nation. He mentioned feeling inspired to make this donation after seeing fellow billionaire Ben Delo’s pledge just 24 hours before.
Harborne, who is 63 years old and based in Thailand as a cryptocurrency investor, aligns with 42-year-old Delo, who co-founded the BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange.
These contributions bring the total amount pledged to Reform since Friday to $97 million, amidst rising inquiries into the party’s finances. Just this week, London’s Metropolitan Police announced a criminal investigation into whether Reform accepted illegal foreign donations.
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform, expressed his gratitude for the contributions in a post on X. He noted, “You know what Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne want? Nothing. Just a government that will fix Britain. And that’s what Reform UK will deliver,” he added.
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the right-wing Conservative Party, criticized Reform, claiming that Farage and his team lack integrity. She mentioned on X, “You can buy staff and advertising, but you can’t buy judgment or integrity. Sometimes a bigger cheque just means you make more of the same mistakes. The Conservatives are up for the fight.”
Reform has increasingly become a notable political influence in the UK. However, recent polls indicate that the party might have lost some support since left-leaning Andy Burnham took over as prime minister and Labour Party leader.
According to Al Jazeera’s Camille Nedelec reporting from London, both of Reform’s latest donors feel they are contributing to a fairer political landscape in Britain. Delo justified his record-breaking donation as an effort to level the political playing field. This sentiment is echoed by Harborne, who sees Reform UK as a startup lacking the substantial financial backing that mainstream parties enjoy. He noted that Reform has historically received much less in donations compared to its larger counterparts.
Reform is the successor to Farage’s Brexit Party, which rebranded as Reform in 2021. As a key figure in the Brexit movement, Farage has positioned himself as an anti-establishment leader, gaining traction as voters become more dissatisfied with both the Conservative and Labour parties. The political atmosphere in the UK has shifted significantly, with a notable decline in living standards sparking increased interest in alternative parties.
