New proposals in the United Kingdom could prevent overseas voters who move to the UK from donating more than £100,000 to political causes for a year after their arrival. This measure is part of a broader government initiative to strengthen checks on company donations and prevent foreign money from influencing UK elections.
The government previously announced an annual £100,000 cap on donations from British citizens living abroad, effective since March 25. The new proposal seeks to establish a minimum residency period in the UK before an individual's donations can exceed this limit. This change could potentially affect significant donors to the Reform UK party.
Notable beneficiaries of substantial donations include Christopher Harborne, a British billionaire based in Thailand, who made a £9 million donation to Reform UK last year, reportedly the largest single donation from a living person to a UK political party. Harborne also contributed £12 million in 2025 and an additional £3 million in January. According to reports, Harborne has registered to vote in the UK and stated that the proposed crackdown would not deter his financial support for the party.
Electoral Commission data also indicates that Ben Delo, another cryptocurrency billionaire, donated £4 million to Reform UK between January and March. Delo has expressed his intention to move back to Britain from Hong Kong to increase his contributions to the party.
Under the proposed regulations, both Harborne and Delo would remain subject to the £100,000 cap for a year upon their return to the UK.
In addition to individual donation limits, ministers plan to assess political donations from companies based on their post-tax profits over the previous five years, rather than solely on revenue. This aims to ensure that only legitimate UK-linked businesses can make donations.
Candidates seeking election will also be required to demonstrate that any funding received before officially becoming a candidate originated from legitimate sources. They will need to declare donations exceeding £2,230 made prior to their official candidacy.
These proposals are slated to be introduced as amendments to the Representation of the People Bill, which is scheduled for further consideration in the House of Commons on July 14. Communities Secretary Steve Reed stated that these measures are designed to "shut down dodgy funding, stop foreign money influencing our elections and keep our democracy strong."
The government's actions are a response to a review of political funding, initiated last year following concerns about foreign interference in British democracy. In March, the government announced a ban on cryptocurrency donations to UK political parties and the £100,000 annual cap for Britons living overseas. Reform UK has criticized these changes, with a party spokesperson accusing the governing party of attempting to limit funding for its political rivals.