The Liberal Democrats have challenged Nigel Farage to disclose the funding behind Reform UK’s £2 million direct mail campaign targeting postal voters ahead of this week’s local elections. With Reform’s last declared donations at just £281,000 (Q4 2024), Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper demanded transparency, urging Farage to rule out donations from “wealthy donors linked to Russia or the Trump administration.”
Reform claims its spending is covered by small donations and membership fees, citing 225,000 members contributing an estimated £5.6 million annually. However, critics highlight the party’s reliance on paid mailshots sending two personalised letters to each of England’s 1.9 million postal voters rather than traditional grassroots campaigning.
The Electoral Commission’s next donation report (Q1 2025) won’t be published until after the 1 May polls, leaving voters in the dark. Reform’s treasurer, property developer Nick Candy, has previously targeted overseas-based donors, taking advantage of looser rules under recent Tory reforms.
Farage has invested heavily in Reform’s image, including a staged Birmingham rally featuring props like a derelict pub and potholed roads to dramatise the party’s “broken Britain” message. With the Lib Dems accusing Reform of “shadowy funding”, the row underscores growing scrutiny over the party’s financial backing as its influence rises.
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