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LONDON (AP) — Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, received 72 million pounds ($97 million) from two cryptocurrency billionaires this weekend, fueling concerns about money in British politics.
After news broke that Ben Delo, a co-founder of the BitMEX cryptocurrency platform, had given 36 million pounds ($48 million) to the party, crypto investor Christopher Harborne on Saturday announced he was matching the donation.
Harborne said he was backing Reform UK because he believes its policies will attract the investment Britain needs to bolster the economy and generate the revenue needed to fund healthcare, education and other public services.
But established political parties quickly warned that unlimited donations from billionaire businessmen risked corrupting elections. The Liberal Democrats, currently the third-largest party in the House of Commons, called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to cap donations and protect British democracy.
“Nigel Farage wants to bring Trump’s America to our shores by buying his way into power,” Liberal Democrat spokesperson Lisa Smart said in a statement. “He’s trying to get into Number 10 as if it’s a stop on a monopoly board,” she added, referring to the prime minister’s residence.”
Donations without precedent in UK politics
The twin donations, tied for the biggest ever to a British political party, come after months of allegations about improper fundraising by Reform UK that have weakened its standing with voters. Police in London earlier this week opened an investigation into reports that the party violated laws prohibiting contributions from overseas donors.
Delo, who was pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump last year after pleading guilty to violating anti-money laundering laws, started recently moved back to the U.K. from Hong Kong,
Writing in the Telegraph newspaper, Delo said his donation was designed to help break up the “cartel” that controls British politics, an apparent reference to the Labour and Conservative parties that have dominated elections for the past century.
“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 wrote. “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.”
Reform UK seen as rival to established parties
Reform UK has surged in public opinion polls by criticizing the failure of successive governments to stop the inflatable boats that illegally bring thousands of migrants to Britain each year and campaigning to make it harder for people to claim asylum.
