Even before the elections, wealthy individuals began donating to ReformUK. Furthermore, Conservative supporters have now begun supporting ReformUK. The latest example of this is former Conservative Party donor Christopher Harborne, who attracted attention by donating £9 million to ReformUK.
The £9 million donated to ReformUK is the first political donation from a living person since Lord Sainsbury left £10 million to the Conservative Party in his will in 2023.
The record-breaking donations seem to herald the arrival of a new ruling party. Now that a Conservative donor has left the party and donated to ReformUK, the Conservative Party’s chances of regaining power have diminished significantly. Although Kemi Badenoch performed well, donors seem to have been dissatisfied, as they have turned to ReformUK, a party characterized by nothing but anti-immigration sentiment.
The Labour Party received the least donations on the donation list, with £2.4 million. Even the Conservative Party, despite not being in power, received £8 million in donations.
Polls show ReformUK leading. While the party, with no one else prominent besides Nigel Farage, could be considered a one-man party, it must be acknowledged that it has become a source of hope for some in the public. Labour’s utter failure and the Conservatives’ failure to produce a serious leader after 10 years in power leave the public with little hope.