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Record donations trigger internal tensions in Reform UK over campaign spending plan
Nigel Farage’s party received £72m from two cryptocurrency-linked businessmen. The Guardian reported that some grassroots activists object to using the money to hire hundreds of campaign managers instead of expanding volunteer efforts.
Reform UK is facing internal friction after receiving £72m from crypto businessmen Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne, a sum that The Guardian said is the largest declared donation to a UK political party since reporting rules were introduced in 2001.
According to the newspaper, Nigel Farage framed the money as a way to put his party on equal footing with established rivals. But some grassroots activists have pushed back, especially after he said the funds would be used to hire 400 campaign managers in target constituencies.
The Guardian reported that members in activist groups argued the party needs more people knocking on doors rather than more managers. Some also questioned how those paid organisers would operate without a much larger volunteer base and what would happen to local members already serving in similar roles.
The shift toward a more professional structure is already under way. The Guardian said Reform UK is advertising more than 60 jobs this week, including four branch network coordinators across English regions, 47 full-time campaign managers in cities, towns and regions across Britain, as well as a call centre manager, two byelection managers and a councillor welfare manager to work with the party’s 2,300 councillors and handle conflict-related issues.
The recruitment drive also includes creative roles such as a graphic designer, a video editor aimed at strengthening the party’s TikTok and broader social media presence, and junior and senior writers. The Guardian added that applicants were asked to submit a 500-word letter written in the persona of the party’s home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, explaining how Britain had been failed by the political class and how Reform UK would address it.
The newspaper said the spending plan is designed to put the party on a stronger footing over the next three years by reshaping its branch network. Some of the money is also expected to support the policy operation behind Reform UK’s shadow cabinet. In that context, The Guardian cited The Spectator as describing treasurer Harvey Griffiths as a rising behind-the-scenes figure as Farage tries to prevent internal power bases from emerging at the party’s Millbank headquarters.
A party source told The Guardian that a significant share of the money had already been allocated up front to cover the practical costs of running a major political organisation, including head office operations, rent and day-to-day expenses. The same source downplayed the internal complaints, saying there will always be people who believe their preferred projects should be funded first.
The Guardian said the process could generate fresh strains inside a party shaped by Farage-led movements whose members often see themselves as insurgents. It noted that similar tensions played a role in earlier splits, including Ben Habib’s departure, while Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain is still trying to attract dissatisfied Reform activists.
Sources
About this piece. Written by El Notero with AI assistance, from reporting published by the outlet cited above. El Notero did no original reporting on this story.
