Angela Rayner has been accused of "hyperventilating hypocrisy" for her criticism of large donations to Reform UK, while simultaneously defending the millions Labour receives from trade unions.
In a speech at the Trades Union Congress conference, Rayner stated that the mega-donations to Reform were "not more different" from the funds Labour receives annually from unions, which have totaled approximately £150 million since 2010. Rayner vowed to "defend our democracy" against "fascist oligarchs" funding Nigel Farage's party.
Reform UK's donors, crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne, announced they would each contribute £36 million to the party, marking the largest single donations ever made to a British political entity. In response, Downing Street confirmed the government intends to change donation laws retrospectively, potentially requiring Reform UK to return the funds. Ministers are also considering capping future donations.
Reform UK has accused Labour of hypocrisy and suggested it might seek to ban union donations if Labour proceeds to block its own donors. Robert Jenrick, Reform's Treasury spokesman, called Rayner's remarks a "deranged rant" and stated Reform is prepared to challenge any retrospective legislation in court.
Reform's deputy leader, Richard Tice, criticized the move as "not the fair way, it's not the British way" and questioned if Labour was attempting to create an "unlevel playing field" due to fear of Reform's progress.
Under proposed legislation, donations from individuals living abroad will be capped at £100,000 annually. The government confirmed this law will be backdated to March 25, the date a cap was first proposed in a government review. Donors will have to wait one calendar year before exceeding the new limit.
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, described any attempt to change the law retrospectively as something that would make the country "look like an old communist country." He contrasted this with Labour, suggesting that trade unions are the ones making political donations in exchange for political favors. Farage warned that if Reform's donors are banned, his party, if in government, would ban union donations.
Government minister Baroness Taylor, speaking in the House of Lords, expressed concern over the rise of "big money in our politics and its ability to dominate public power" and stated, "We must put politics back under public control."
Union leaders have historically opposed donation caps, fearing a reduction in their influence over the Labour Party. However, the TUC conference was expected to support calls for a cap, with union officials planning to argue that their donations, funded by small levies from workers, should be exempt.