Moving to the UK will now come with restrictions on significant political donations for donors to prevent foreign influence on elections, as new measures are being implemented to strengthen regulations.
Effective from Monday, a stricter cap on political contributions exceeding £100,000 from international contributors will be in place. Individuals relocating to the UK will face this limitation for a minimum of one full year, ensuring that the regulations cannot be circumvented, not limited to those only registered as overseas voters.
For example, if a donor moves to the UK in July 2026, they must reside there for the rest of 2026 and the entire calendar year of 2027 before being eligible to donate over the set cap starting January 1, 2028.
This change could impact Reform UK, which has received £15 million in donations from Christopher Harborne, a crypto billionaire based in Thailand. Recent reports revealed that Mr. Harborne, previously critical of Labour’s stance on foreign donations, had registered to vote in the UK, stating, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Additional measures include more stringent scrutiny on corporate donations, enhanced transparency requirements for candidates, and the closure of loopholes vulnerable to exploitation by those aiming to disrupt UK elections.
The Government’s revisions, to be integrated through amendments to the ongoing Representation of the People Bill, stem from a review conducted by former senior civil servant Philip Rycroft on foreign financial intervention. The Government’s comprehensive response to the review will be unveiled on Monday.
The legislation will redefine the eligibility criteria for companies making political donations and will restrict contributions from overseas voters to £100,000 annually.
The Mirror reported that political parties and politicians could face fines up to £20,000 by the Electoral Commission or up to seven years in prison for severe violations if they fail to verify if a company donation adheres to the new guidelines.
Corporate donations will be restricted based on their profits, ensuring that only legitimate UK-associated businesses can contribute in a transparent, accountable manner reflecting their actual financial status.
In March, the Government announced a temporary halt on political donations via cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin until sufficient regulations are in place, as assessed by the Electoral Commission and Parliament.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed emphasized, “British democracy is not for sale. These stringent regulations will combat illicit funding, prevent foreign interference in our elections, and uphold the strength of our democracy. By imposing stricter standards on overseas donors and mandating candidates to disclose the sources of their funding, we are taking proactive measures to safeguard our electoral integrity and address external threats.”
Previously disclosed by this publication, Reform received £18.6 million in donations last year, with £15 million originating from individuals with offshore connections, constituting nearly 80% of the party’s funding.
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