AIBU to question why crypto investors are heavily funding Reform?

Look, if you don’t think these unprecedentedly large lump sums from private individuals with a clear vested interest are different to the kind of political donations we’ve previously been used to, then that’s fine. But I do think that is a minority opinion - I think most people, of all our political persuasions, including the Conservative Party are uncomfortable with these sums and are keen to avoid an Americanisation of politics where money runs free.

It is really easy to Google this:

https://www.transparency.org.uk/news/public-demand-clear-cap-big-donations-now

I feel strongly about this, not for party political reasons, but because I think massive, lump sum donations from private individuals are bad for our democracy. Earlier in the thread you seemed to suggest this wasn’t an issue you could get worked up about, if that’s true, then you’ve really wasted a lot of your day posting about it.

Either that, or you’re sealioning, in which case my bad for being drawn in

You don"t think he will do these charity runs once he is out as PM and on the speaking circuit do you? This is just optics to contrast with Nigel getting a big bung, "Look at me, out raising money for charity when they are pocketing loot"

Look, if you don’t think these unprecedentedly large lump sums from private individuals with a clear vested interest are different to the kind of political donations we’ve previously been used to, then that’s fine. But I do think that is a minority opinion - I think most people, of all our political persuasions, including the Conservative Party are uncomfortable with these sums and are keen to avoid an Americanisation of politics where money runs free.

Please provide the polling figures

You can of course argue that. But like I say I do not think it’s an opinion most of the country share.

Look, if you don’t think these unprecedentedly large lump sums from private individuals with a clear vested interest are different to the kind of political donations we’ve previously been used to, then that’s fine. But I do think that is a minority opinion - I think most people, of all our political persuasions, including the Conservative Party are uncomfortable with these sums and are keen to avoid an Americanisation of politics where money runs free.

The Conservatives have raised £150million since 2021, Labour £128 million and Reform £38million before these donations.

Why the sudden concern?

The Conservatives have raised £150million since 2021, Labour £128 million and Reform £38million before these donations.

Why the sudden concern?

For me, it really isn’t about whether Burnham will be fine anyway, or not. (Although I do find the idea that Andy Burnham’s passion for buses and charity running is somehow more electorally damaging than a need to constantly defend against questions about billionaire donations quite comical).

I just genuinely cannot see how donations of this size do not damage our democracy and lead to a more American style big money politics. That’s why I’m in favour of the representation of the people bill - as is the official opposition, TBF. I genuinely don’t see why anyone who cares about our democracy wouldn’t want better safeguards against foreign interference or untraceable money.

For me, it really isn’t about whether Burnham will be fine anyway, or not. (Although I do find the idea that Andy Burnham’s passion for buses and charity running is somehow more electorally damaging than a need to constantly defend against questions about billionaire donations quite comical).

I just genuinely cannot see how donations of this size do not damage our democracy and lead to a more American style big money politics. That’s why I’m in favour of the representation of the people bill - as is the official opposition, TBF. I genuinely don’t see why anyone who cares about our democracy wouldn’t want better safeguards against foreign interference or untraceable money.

If Reform want to spend their time defending their obscenely large donations from
billionaires, they are very welcome to. I don’t think it’s going to do much win to them much support beyond the die hards who will come out to blindly defend them no matter what. Which is very much not the kind of support that they need to actually have a chance of winning an election.

I think most people care much more about buses than they do about crapto, and are much more endeared by a political leader who spends his time raising money through a charity run than they are by one who spends his time swilling oysters and whining about how all the other politicians are out to get him.

Ok so Burnham will be fine anyway. Labour don’t need to scramble for new legislative changes.

Goodness knows. Possibly yes. They're always banging on about the woke. Brits - normal Brits - have more sense.

Oh god im worried now. That I sound like a right wing American. Which would mean I would have to be a Big Orange supporter!!😱😱😱

Ok sorry, just that you sound like one. Apologies.

If Reform want to spend their time defending their obscenely large donations from
billionaires, they are very welcome to. I don’t think it’s going to do much win to them much support beyond the die hards who will come out to blindly defend them no matter what. Which is very much not the kind of support that they need to actually have a chance of winning an election.

I think most people care much more about buses than they do about crapto, and are much more endeared by a political leader who spends his time raising money through a charity run than they are by one who spends his time swilling oysters and whining about how all the other politicians are out to get him.

No obviously not. Why would I be? Because I used the term "DEI" and understood what it meant? We have the concept of DEI in the UK too. Of course we do! Think of the nutters we've had in power recently!

Exactly, and Reform will just ram this point across again and again as AB chunters on about buses and goes for runs.

I think most people can see the difference. I suspect that you can too.

Are you an American?

Presumably I can. But the point remains. A special interest group buys influence over government policy. And in the case of Labour this has already happened regularly. With Reform of course its just what you think might happen but hasn't.