The UK government has unveiled fresh plans to tighten political donation rules by limiting how much overseas voters can contribute after returning to the country, in a move aimed at reducing the influence of foreign money on British elections.
Under the proposed changes, British citizens who move back to the UK after living abroad will be restricted to donating no more than £100,000 to political parties during their first year of residence. The measure builds on an earlier government decision to introduce a £100,000 annual cap on donations from British citizens living overseas.
Ministers say the reforms are designed to strengthen transparency in political funding and prevent overseas wealth from exerting undue influence on the country’s democratic process.
The new rules could affect some of Reform UK’s biggest financial supporters, including billionaire cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne and entrepreneur Ben Delo, both of whom have donated millions of pounds to the party.
Harborne, who is based in Thailand, donated a record £9 million to Reform UK last year, followed by another £12 million in 2025 and £3 million earlier this year. Reports indicate he has since registered to vote in the UK. Delo, who has been living in Hong Kong, has also signalled plans to return to Britain after contributing £4 million to the party.
If the proposals become law, both men would be subject to the £100,000 donation limit for one year after moving back to the UK.
The government is also proposing stricter rules for company donations. Instead of assessing businesses based on revenue alone, political donations will be judged against a company’s post-tax profits over the previous five years to ensure only legitimate UK-linked firms can make political contributions.
In addition, individuals seeking public office will be required to disclose donations worth more than £2,230 received before officially becoming election candidates. They will also have to prove that such funding came from lawful and transparent sources.
The reforms will be introduced as amendments to the Representation of the People Bill, which is due to return to Parliament later this month.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said the measures would protect the integrity of British elections by preventing foreign influence and improving transparency in political finance.
The proposals form part of the government’s wider response to concerns about foreign interference in UK democracy. Earlier this year, ministers also announced plans to ban cryptocurrency donations to political parties.
Reform UK has criticised the proposals, arguing they unfairly restrict legitimate political funding and are aimed at weakening the party’s ability to compete with its rivals.
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