Farage lashes out as elections watchdog considers cutting spending limits to blunt Reform's £72m war chest
From the Newshound archive · first published 20 September 2026 · last updated 21 September 2026.
Britain's Electoral Commission chief Vijay Rangarajan has confirmed he is examining whether political spending limits should be changed — a move that could stop Reform UK from using a large share of its record £72m donations haul. Angela Rayner and Louise Haigh wrote to Rangarajan last month arguing current limits are 'too high', with the existing cap set at £34m for the twelve months leading up to a general election. Reform faces a separate legal obstacle as well: recent legislation could invalidate the donations because neither crypto-billionaire donor Ben Delo nor Christopher Harborne was living in the UK twelve months before March 2026. Farage called the Government 'the most anti-democratic British Government ever' for commissioning the review.
The review — first sought by ministers in July — will cover spending limits, donation reporting requirements, and money spent between election periods.
Rangarajan will issue recommendations in July next year, with all major parties set to be consulted before any changes are made.
The Electoral Commission could also investigate the two crypto-billionaires directly, adding fresh legal jeopardy to Reform's fundraising coup.