Britain’s election watchdog is urging the government to take a firmer stance on political party donations after reports suggested U.S. billionaire Elon Musk may fund Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. The Electoral Commission, which oversees party finances, has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government to act against foreign interference in British politics.
Musk, a U.S. citizen, is reportedly considering donating up to $100 million to Farage’s right-wing party, potentially making it the largest political donation in British history. However, both Musk and Farage’s camps have downplayed the likelihood of such a large sum being involved.
Under U.K. law, donations over £500 must come from registered U.K. donors, including British citizens and companies. This could allow Musk to make a donation through X’s U.K. branch, which posted a pre-tax profit of £8.5 million in 2022.
Electoral Commission Chief Executive Vijay Rangarajan called for stricter rules to ensure political donations are linked to U.K. company profits, adding that transparency is key to maintaining public trust in the electoral system. He revealed that the Commission has been calling for stronger laws since 2013.
Farage responded by accusing the Electoral Commission of being “establishment stooges” and claimed both Labour and the Tories were “terrified” of his party and Musk’s potential support. Farage also confirmed that Musk had expressed support during their recent meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
