Chris Mason: Row over Reform's mega donations has mileage in it yet
The UK government is considering new legislation to cap political donations from British citizens living abroad at £100,000 per year. This follows a controversial £72 million donation to the Reform UK party, sparking a debate over the influence of money in politics and the ethics of retrospective lawmaking.
Why it matters
It highlights the ongoing tension between political funding transparency and the legislative power of the state to regulate party finances.
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock Image caption, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage pictured during the party's annual party conference earlier this month
Political editor Published 9 minutes ago The £72m heading towards Reform UK's coffers from two British billionaires is transforming the debate at Westminster about politics and money.
In short, how should political parties be paid for, and by who?
And, what is a legitimate donation and what isn't?
It is worth setting out the law, in broad terms, now and how the government hopes to change it.
Right now, there is no limit on how much anyone, living in the UK or abroad, can give to a British political party as long as the individual is registered to vote in the UK.
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