AIBU? Billionaires donating £72 million to Reform

Labour was formed by the trade unions (the workers and those who wanted to improve workers' rights) so being uncomfortable with the trade unions' involvement in the Labour party is a bit odd.

The difference is that we know Reform are keen on low taxation and reducing/eliminating regulation, which would of course massively benefit a billionaire. Labour tend towards more taxation and regulation - so there must be another reason for a huge donation. I would be keen to know more about the circumstances, but I would be far less dubious about the intent.

Oh for the days when the stupidly rich set up schools, hospitals and libraries with their fortunes.

I’m not sure you’re right about public opinion on this one. The polling shows very clearly that the majority of the public are against enormous donations from very wealthy individuals, and would look favourably on any party who capped donations: https://www.transparency.org.uk/news/public-demand-clear-cap-big-donations-now

If anything, I think the public would have liked the Representation of the People’s Act to go further than it does.

I get why certain politicians want to spin this, but if the legislation follows the Rees Principles, I think alot of people will see that as pragmatic and reasonable.

Why would people stand against billionaires? What crimes are billionaires committing?

But if you look at who donated to the Labour Party in 2024, they got £4 million of one individual donor firm. Why was no one up in arms about this? So if Labour do make this law retrospective, I assume they’ll be giving that back….

To the general public it looks bad especially if they suddenly feel these rules are sooooo very important all of a sudden after an opposition party gets a massive donation.

Yup it’s their money, unless you are directly buying votes with that money I don’t really see the problem and I’m not a reform voter.

I guess if people feel like their should be a cap on spending and money should only come from general taxation you can make that argument.

I vote Labour but I am very uncomfortable about the influence the trade unions have on party policy. Although the amounts of money are different surely the influence is comparable?

It’s up to them where they donate their money, just because you don’t agree with it doesn’t make it wrong. Who are you? The charity donation Police?

YABU.

How do you know these billionaires don’t also give massive charitable donations?

Rayner won’t get her wish though. Without pulling the current legislation. I don’t think Burnham will do that, if he has any sense.

But Reform aren’t uniquely victimised, the rules are backdated to March 2026, when the changes were announced, for absolutely all political parties.

I genuinely don’t think the optics are bad - or at least not to anyone who understands that this is standard practice when tax loops are closed, for clearly, pragmatic sensible reasons, in my opinion.

Billionaires are the problem. We could all stand against them but people are unfortunately too stupid to realise that we are being pitted against each other.

but yes please let’s get back to talking about a couple trans people in sports and all the illegal immigrants that are ruining our lives.

Making it easier to do business is one thing; stripping away protections for workers, consumers and the environment is another.

And we’re talking about Crapto-billionaires here, including one who doesn’t even live in the UK, pouring millions into a political party. I’m not sure why their influence over British policy is somehow more wholesome than trade unions representing millions of people who actually work here.

I agree on the new party thing. In any case if Burnham wants a cap after agreeing not to due to union pressure he’ll have to pull the HoL legislation.

Rayner might be typical Labour on this but Burnham is attempting to talk about wealth creators with puff pieces in the press. He might be better than his predecessor, not panic as Labour tend to do and leave the legislation as is.

And I agree with PP - it is completely unreasonable. Very bad optics and that’s not going to help. The whole reform thing thrives on conspiracy. Don’t make reform the victim.

That’s probably why we haven’t had any new parties for so long.

I don’t know the answer. But I am imagining if a good actor - say for example JK Rowling decided she was going to sink her whole life’s assets into forming a new party and it was a socialist progressive party. Then do I want to stop her. Probably not.

And this making things easier to do business and cheaper right? We want to make things easier for businesses don't we? Trade unions are often the reason no work gets done at times.

I think it is different, because the amounts are so unprecedentedly, obscenely high for single lump sums. Before this, I think I read that the highest individual lump sum donation was £10 million from one of the Sainsbury’s bequeathed to the Conservatives in his will. I do think it’s also relevant both donors are invested in a currency known for money laundering and untraceable money, and until very recently were both resident overseas.

FWIW I don’t think it’s a party political issue either. I’d like to see a donations cap on all individual donations. I think governments have been too slow on this. American politics is a warning - we really don’t want big money distorting our politics in the same way.

But the principle is the same. The donor is trying to a) help the party he/they think will favour their POV get into power and b) influence that party to listen to/support them when in power. It really doesn't matter where the money comes from or really how much it is. The point is they are using money to try to try to affect the political outcome.

I’m a member of NASUWT, I pretty much have to be in a union as a teacher. I did not realise that my money was being put towards left leaning marches with Palestine flags etc. I had to call them and ask them to remove my contributions from the political fund. My monthly fee went down by….nothing, despite me having a letter to let me know that I was no longer donating to the political fund. I bet a lot of people don’t realise where their money is going. If it wasn’t so risky to be without a union, I’d ditch them entirely.

Come on, now.

You’ve avoided the influence question.

But, but, but.... they're the people's party. Nige is one of us. He drinks pints in pubs and everything.

Billionaire donors don't have a habit of backing those who truly represent 'the people', because it serves no purpose for them.

The unions have a long established funding relationship with Labour because they represent working people. People are free to join a union or not. And when you support Labour, you know this is where the money comes from predominantly. Nobody pretends any different.

But to say you represent ordinary people when you accept massive donations from crypto billionaires, and actively seek to circumnavigate regulations around overseas donations, is laughable.

Did you mean JKR, Dolly Parton has never even lived in the UK?

OP, do you not wonder about all the good everyone who donates to political parties could do instead? For example the unions could have spent some on supporting their female members when confronted with disciplinaries after asking men to leave their female only spaces?

Just thinking about the fact that Dolly Paron wasn't a billionaire because she gave so much money away.