this post was submitted on 23 Dec 2024

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Billionaires are queueing up to donate to Reform, treasurer says (www.thetimes.com)

submitted 2 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Nick Candy, the property developer [and Reform UK treasurer], said it was not just Elon Musk who was prepared to donate to the party.

He claimed the windfall would see Reform overtaking the Conservatives, as he promised a “political disruption like we have never seen before”.

Candy, 51, brokered a meeting with Musk at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida earlier this month, after which Nigel Farage, the party leader, claimed that the owner of Tesla was giving a large donation to Reform “serious thought”.
[…]
Labour is considering changing the law to block foreign billionaires donating to political parties. Under current rules, all donations above £500 must come from British-based businesses or individuals. Lucy Powell, the leader of the Commons, said there were “no immediate plans” to change the law. But she told Sky News that the party was “committed to bringing forward some changes to the way in which elections are run in this country”.

Candy, who has promised to give £1 million of his own money to Reform, told the Financial Times: “We have a number of billionaires prepared to donate to the party, not just Elon. The Reform Party is the disrupter — this is the seed round, the series A. This will be political disruption like we have never seen before.” He added: “The oldest political party in the world will be overtaken by the youngest political party on the planet.”

Several high-profile Conservatives have defected to Reform in recent weeks, including Tim Montgomerie, the founder of the ConservativeHome website, and Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the former Tory MP.

Candy, who is married to the Australian pop star Holly Valance, said a number of Conservative donors could also switch their allegiances and said Musk would “be the first of many wealthy donors legally allowed to donate”.

“Even the big Tory donors are calling me … A lot of people will join us. The movement has started,” he said.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

Labour should pass a law that the only legal political donations are from British citizens, and those donations should be capped.

Knowingly taking foreign money should result in a prison sentence.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

Can I have a list of those billionaires please? No reason, honest.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Party of the billionaires cosplaying as working class.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago

Aint all of them sucking daddy owner dick?

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 days ago (2 children)

This, plus Farage launching the UK branch of a climate sceptical think-tank just shows that Reform are bought and paid for by big business, perhaps even more than the Tories. You'd think it'd put working class voters off but I doubt it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

It won't put them off because their supporters are nut case brown shits who don't know their history. If reform ever gained power they will abandon their radical roots so as to gain the support of the more moderates. Those who have abandoned the conservatives in favor of the liberal democrats or some other party.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago

Sadly most of their supporters will never find out, and the rest will handwave it away as "fake", "well they all do it" or some other complete nonsense.

[–] Uranium_Green 16 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (3 children)

After the Brexit vote, my belief in the general public not voting against their interests has been crushed, I can fully see a significant section of our society falling for this this conman and his cronyism.

How do the more sane aspects of our society actually outcompete this?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Brexit was a very close one, and a lot of people who voted leave understand now it was all a lie, wished they had voted differently, and should be more dubious of Farage.

I have concerns young voters who are heavily influenced by social media and weren't overly aware of the Brexit vote 8 years ago will be enticed to vote for Reform. They have seen what a shambles Tories were, and are exposed to the negatives of what Labour are up to, regardless of if they have done some good. They may wish to vote reform because it is perceived as change.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago

Brexit was a very close one, and a lot of people who voted leave understand now it was all a lie, wished they had voted differently, and should be more dubious of Farage.

Some Brexiteers I know think it was badly implemented and blame Cameron somehow. They can't answer how come no Tory since could do it either. Others just get shitty and defensive.

I have concerns young voters who are heavily influenced by social media and weren’t overly aware of the Brexit vote 8 years ago will be enticed to vote for Reform. They have seen what a shambles Tories were, and are exposed to the negatives of what Labour are up to, regardless of if they have done some good. They may wish to vote reform because it is perceived as change.

Definitely a worry. I was talking to 19 year-old lad before the next election and he was voting for the first time and said he'd vote Reform. He also muttered about how Andrew Tate was being fitted up. The concern is the widening gender gap in young voters and that seems to be driven by social media.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

lot of people who voted leave understand now it was all a lie

Some do. But a larger number blame both parliment for being to weak. And remainers for not getting behind the gov in negotiations.

Many fail to recognise the vote was won by joining multiple impossible opposing ideas into one side.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

We don't. I know we shouldn't give in to despair and whatever but too late, I've given into despair. This country is fucked, we've got a Labour party in charge with 5 years they're going to spend basically gift-wrapping the country for Reform. The cunts have won, I just hope I live long enough to say "I told you so"

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago (2 children)

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Yeah but throwing milkshake it him is apparently illegal, so the bullet he most definitely deserves would probably be definitely illegal. Want to pony up?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago

We can spout italicised aphorisms all day, but where exactly is that getting us? I'm certainly not going to do nothing and just roll over and accept it, I'm just no longer optimistic that that will accomplish anything. Increasingly the best I can hope for is a V For Vendetta-style drag me out behind the chemical sheds and shoot me

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 days ago

This is why I think a constitutional monarchy is actually a good idea honestly 🤣

[–] lurch 7 points 2 days ago

this is so not okay. this feels like they are buying votes through the back door. i wish everyone from the UK the best of luck with this