The political landscape in Britain has been jolted by a record-breaking financial injection, as the Reform UK party receives its largest ever single donation. The sum of £9 million was provided by businessman and former Conservative Party donor, Christopher Harborne.
A Historic Donation Reshapes Party Funding
According to official filings published by the Electoral Commission, the substantial payment was made on 1 August 2025. This colossal contribution is now noted as the largest political donation from a living person in British history. The only larger recorded bequest was the £10 million left to the Conservative Party in the will of Lord Sainsbury in 2023.
The donor, Christopher Harborne, is a British-born businessman now based in Thailand, where he chairs the investment firm Sherriff Global Group. His political giving history reveals a significant shift in allegiance. Between 2001 and 2022, he donated nearly £2 million to the Conservatives. However, his support for Nigel Farage's movement is long-standing; he gave millions to the Brexit Party in 2019 and has continued to fund both the party, now Reform UK, and Mr Farage personally.
Reform's Fundraising Overshadows Major Parties
The third-quarter financial reports for 2025 reveal a dramatic surge in political fundraising overall, with parties raising £24 million, up from £10 million in the same period last year. Within this context, Reform UK's haul is particularly striking.
The party reported total donations of £10,526,846 for the quarter. This figure not only eclipses the amounts raised by the three main Westminster parties individually but also means Reform raised almost as much as them combined. The Conservative Party gathered £7,038,861, Labour secured £2,564,786, and the Liberal Democrats received £2,174,712. The combined total for these three was £11,778,359.
Meanwhile, the Green Party reported an increase in donations, though its total of £371,753 mostly reflects the period before new leader Zack Polanski took office.
Building War Chests for the 2026 Elections
This influx of cash comes at a critical juncture, with local and national assembly elections scheduled for May 2026. Political analysts suggest the record donation will significantly boost Reform UK's campaign capacity, allowing for greater spending on advertising, staffing, and grassroots organisation. It signals the party's intent to be a formidable force and underscores the changing dynamics of political finance in the UK, where established party loyalties are being tested by new movements.
The donation from Mr Harborne transforms Reform UK's financial standing overnight, providing Nigel Farage with a substantial 'war chest' as the battle for votes intensifies in the run-up to the next major electoral test.
