Mr Farage and Reform UK are assembling an election war chest (Image: Getty)
Nigel Farage has begged supporters to throw his Reform UK party £20 to help it topple the “dictators” who cancelled the forthcoming local elections.
Labour has axed nine council ballots as part of a reorganisation of local government in areas Mr Farage had targeted, sparking fury in his party and among voters.
May local elections in Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey, and the Isle of Wight will no longer take place as planned.
Mr Farage, 60, is now assembling a war chest to fight what remains of May’s local elections with a view to a full-scale assault on Downing Street in 2029
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And in a message to supporters he said: “I can hardly believe I am writing this, but Labour and the Conservatives have colluded to cancel the votes of 5.5 million people on May 1. There is only one reason for this decision: Westminster is absolutely terrified of the rise of Reform. We are now leading in the polls and the establishment will do anything to stop us.”
Despite the blow the political maverick has his sights set on town halls still up for grabs and in a rallying cry said: “Reaching the remaining 15 million voters is now even more important than ever.
“Reform UK must now fight in the areas that are going ahead even harder than ever before.
“And to help us win in Kent, County Durham, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and elsewhere, we need to build a war chest.
“Please donate £20 to our campaign fund and help us send a message to the establishment because only dictators cancel elections.”
Reform UK’s new treasurer is British billionaire luxury property developer Nick Candy, husband of actress Holly Valance, with well-heeled party backers also including Charles James Spencer-Churchill, the 12th Duke of Marlborough.
The rise of Reform UK comes as a new poll revealed one in five who voted Conservative at the General Election in July would now vote for former MEP Mr Farage’s party.
The YouGov audit puts Reform UK on 25%, with Labour in second on 24% and the Tories on 21%.
Nigel Farage Asks Supporters for £20 as Reform Builds Its Election War Chest
Nigel Farage has been working to strengthen Reform UK’s financial position ahead of the next general election, combining appeals to ordinary supporters with an unprecedented influx of money from wealthy donors. His message is that building a credible alternative to Labour and the Conservatives requires resources, organisation and a campaign capable of reaching voters across Britain.
The appeal for small donations takes on particular significance following the announcement that two cryptocurrency billionaires, Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo, had each donated £36 million to Reform UK in September 2026. Together, their contributions amounted to £72 million, an extraordinary sum in British party politics. <Cite refs={[“turn106770search2″,”turn106770search3”]}/>
While the headline suggests Farage has personally asked supporters to give him £20, the exact circumstances of that specific appeal could not be independently verified. Nevertheless, the broader fundraising drive reveals how Reform is preparing for the next stage of its political ambitions.
Why Reform wants more money
For Farage, fundraising is about more than paying for leaflets, posters and rallies. Reform wants to build the infrastructure needed to compete with parties that have spent decades developing local organisations and campaign networks.
The party has traditionally relied heavily on Farage’s public profile, enthusiastic supporters and contributions from wealthy individuals. But national campaigning requires a much broader operation, particularly if Reform wants to compete effectively in hundreds of constituencies.
A well-funded campaign can hire staff, conduct voter research, improve communications, organise events and help local candidates reach potential supporters. Money can also pay for digital advertising and the systems needed to coordinate activity across a geographically dispersed electorate.
Farage’s October 1 launch of his 100 Days to Save Britain tour underlined the party’s intention to campaign continuously rather than wait for a general election to be called. He said he would travel around the country every week until polling day, whether the election came soon or several years later. <Cite refs={[“turn106770search13”]}/>
Such an operation requires sustained funding. Even if the party has substantial reserves, it must decide how to allocate them between immediate campaigning and preparations for a possible change of government.
The significance of a £20 contribution
A small donation can carry a different political message from a multimillion-pound contribution.
For supporters, giving £20 may be a practical way to demonstrate commitment without needing substantial personal wealth. Thousands of modest donations can also help a party build a relationship with its supporters and establish a wider base of financial backing.
Small contributions can be particularly useful for local campaigning, where volunteers and candidates need resources to communicate with residents and organise events. They can also help create a sense that a political movement is supported by ordinary people rather than depending entirely on a small number of major donors.
However, the financial impact of small donations depends on how many people contribute and how regularly they give. A single £20 payment is modest compared with the costs of a national campaign, and fundraising appeals do not automatically translate into electoral support.
For Reform, the challenge is to turn enthusiasm into a sustainable funding model while demonstrating that donations are being used effectively.
The party must also ensure that its fundraising communications are clear about whether money is being requested for Reform UK itself, a particular campaign or another purpose. Transparency is essential if supporters are to understand how their contributions will be used.
The £72 million question
The fundraising picture changed dramatically in September when Harborne and Delo each gave £36 million to Reform UK.
Farage described the contributions as an important step towards preparing the party for government. Reform has argued that the funding will help it compete with Labour and the Conservatives, which have established political organisations and access to their own sources of financial support. <Cite refs={[“turn106770search2″,”turn106770search3”]}/>
The donations attracted attention not only because of their size but also because of the wider debate about the influence of wealthy individuals in British politics.
Supporters of large donations argue that political parties need sufficient resources to communicate their policies, recruit staff and challenge established competitors. From that perspective, funding can help a newer party overcome disadvantages associated with a smaller organisation.
Critics counter that exceptionally large contributions risk giving wealthy individuals disproportionate influence over political debate. They argue that political competition should not become excessively dependent on the financial capacity of a handful of donors.
The issue has prompted renewed discussion of whether Britain should introduce limits on political donations. ITV News reported in September that proposals for a donation cap were due to be debated in the House of Lords following Reform’s £72 million fundraising windfall. <Cite refs={[“turn106770search3”]}/>
The debate is not confined to Reform. Questions about transparency, donor influence and campaign finance affect the wider political system.
How Reform plans to use the money
The party has indicated that it intends to use its financial resources to build a stronger campaigning operation.
According to The Guardian, Farage’s spending plans include hiring campaign managers and professional staff in target constituencies as part of a broader effort to prepare Reform for the next general election. The plan has also generated debate among some party activists, with concerns about whether spending on management would be as effective as investing in grassroots campaigning and volunteers. <Cite refs={[“turn106770search4”]}/>
That disagreement illustrates an important point: raising money is only the beginning. Parties must make difficult decisions about how to spend it.
Professional staff can help coordinate campaigns, identify target voters and ensure that candidates receive practical support. Volunteers, meanwhile, provide local knowledge and direct contact with communities. A successful campaign needs both effective organisation and a convincing message.
Reform will have to determine where its investment can make the greatest difference. It may choose to concentrate on constituencies where it already has substantial support, while also trying to build a presence in areas where its organisation is less developed.
The party will also need to prepare candidates to answer detailed questions about its policies. A large advertising budget can increase visibility, but it cannot substitute for credible local representatives or a programme that withstands scrutiny.
Labour and the Conservatives face a better-funded rival
The financial expansion gives Reform additional capacity to challenge Britain’s established parties, but it does not guarantee electoral success.
Labour must defend its record in government and convince voters that its policies can improve living standards, public services and economic opportunities. The Conservatives are seeking to rebuild their support after losing office, while competing with Reform for voters who want tighter immigration controls and a different direction for the country.
Farage’s party hopes to present itself as a credible alternative to both.
Its campaign has placed immigration at the centre of its message, alongside promises relating to taxation, energy costs and government spending. The 100 Days to Save Britain tour is designed to give these proposals a national platform and maintain attention on the party’s priorities.
Yet Reform will face difficult questions about implementation. Promises to lower taxes must be reconciled with public spending commitments. Plans to stop small-boat crossings must account for legal obligations and operational realities. Proposals to reform public services require clear explanations of funding, staffing and administration.
Financial resources can help a party develop these policies and communicate them effectively, but they cannot eliminate the practical challenges of governing.
Can donations buy political momentum?
Money plays a significant role in modern election campaigns, but its effects are not automatic.
A well-funded party can reach more voters, employ specialist staff and maintain a campaign over a longer period. It can also respond more quickly to political developments and invest in research to understand what matters to different communities.
However, voters make decisions for many reasons, including their personal circumstances, political values, views of party leaders and assessments of government performance.
A party can spend heavily without persuading undecided voters. Equally, a candidate with limited resources may build support through a strong local reputation and direct engagement with constituents.
For Reform, the test will be whether the money raised produces a more effective organisation and a clearer offer to voters. The party will need to show that it can turn its financial advantage into practical campaigning rather than simply generating headlines about donations.
There is also a distinction between financial backing and public support. A donation demonstrates that a particular individual or organisation is willing to provide money; it does not establish how the wider electorate intends to vote.
Accountability will remain important
As Reform’s financial resources grow, so will the scrutiny of how its money is raised and spent.
British political parties operate under rules governing donations, reporting and permissible sources of funding. These requirements are intended to make political finance more transparent and help maintain confidence in the electoral process.
The debate surrounding the £72 million contributions has made those questions especially prominent. Supporters of Reform may regard the donations as necessary to challenge established parties, while critics may argue that the sums underline the need for stronger safeguards.
Reform will need to demonstrate that its fundraising and expenditure comply with the applicable rules. It will also need to explain how it intends to use its resources and how spending decisions support its stated political objectives.
For ordinary donors, transparency matters because people contributing £20 should be able to understand how their money fits into the wider campaign.
The real test comes at the ballot box
Farage’s fundraising efforts reflect the scale of his ambition. Reform is seeking to move beyond being a party that influences the political conversation and become an organisation capable of competing for national power.
Small donations can help build a broad base of participation, while major contributions can finance the professional infrastructure required for a nationwide campaign. Both can play a role, but neither guarantees that voters will support the party.
The next stage will require Reform to demonstrate that it can organise effectively, communicate detailed policies and answer questions about the consequences of its proposals.
Labour and the Conservatives will attempt to challenge Reform’s claims, scrutinise its finances and persuade voters that their own programmes offer a more credible route forward.
Ultimately, the election will be decided by voters rather than the size of a party’s bank balance.
Farage’s appeal for financial support therefore forms part of a larger campaign to build momentum before the next general election. Whether the strategy succeeds will depend on how effectively Reform converts its resources into public engagement, credible policies and support at the ballot box.