The UK government is preparing amendments to the Representation of the People Bill in the House of Lords that could retrospectively block Reform UK from accepting £72m in donations from two overseas-based cryptocurrency billionaires. Ministers say the plan predates the donations and stems from earlier Commons pressure for tougher rules on political funding, but the timing means Reform's ability to use the money could hinge on the outcome. The move matters because it would deny Nigel Farage's party a major financial advantage in organising for the next election, and sets up a fresh political and legal clash over party funding rules.

The changes would require donors to prove ongoing physical UK residence, mirroring tax residency tests, and could push back when Reform can legally use the funds to as late as January 2028. Donors Ben Delo, previously based in Hong Kong, and Christopher Harborne, previously in Thailand, each pledged £36m; Farage insists the donations are fully compliant with current law, while Labour's Angela Rayner attacked the comparison of the donations to union subs. Some MPs and peers remain frustrated that a broader cap on domestic donations was not included in the bill.