Political donors could face tougher residency rules
The UK government is proposing stricter residency requirements for political donors following controversy over large donations to Reform UK. The legislation aims to ensure that significant financial contributors maintain a genuine and ongoing connection to the country.
Why it matters
This move addresses concerns regarding foreign influence and transparency in political financing within the UK electoral system.
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock Image caption, Reform leader Nigel Farage says the donations from Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne comply with the current law
The government is planning to tighten residency rules for political donors to ensure that those giving significant amounts of money reside in the UK.
The announcement follows a row over two donations totalling £72m to Reform UK from two British crypto-billionaires who have both recently lived abroad.
Reform leader Nigel Farage said the donations from Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne are "100% compliant with the law today" but he was unable to say they would be permissible under proposed rule changes.
The government wants to change the law on donations to UK political parties from British voters living overseas, including a £100,000 cap backdated to 25 March.
Row over Reform's mega donations has mileage in it yet
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in