In a significant political development, Ben Delo, one of Britain's youngest self-made billionaires, is returning to the United Kingdom from Hong Kong with the explicit aim of bolstering Nigel Farage's Reform Party ahead of the next general election. Delo plans to 'build a war chest' for the party, a move that comes as Labour proposes legislation to cap donations from Britons living overseas at £100,000, a measure widely seen as targeting Reform's funding sources.
Labour's Proposed Donation Cap Sparks Controversy
Delo has accused Labour leader Keir Starmer of using legislation to 'stack the political deck against the most popular opposition party,' labelling Labour's actions as playing a 'rigged game.' The proposed cap would severely impact Reform's ability to receive large donations from expatriates, such as billionaire Christopher Harborne, who has donated £12 million to the party from Thailand. Under the new rules, Harborne would no longer be able to support Reform as an expat.
Delo's Motivation and Background
Ben Delo, the co-founder of the cryptocurrency trading platform Bitmex, expressed his frustration with Labour's reliance on trade union funding, stating, 'For Labour, sitting on its cushion of trade union funding, the idea that someone might create a level playing field by giving Reform as much money to spend as other parties is intolerable.' He hopes his return will inspire other wealthy expatriates to move back to Britain and defy what he calls Sir Keir's 'tinpot' attempt to fix the next election.
Delo, a 42-year-old Oxford graduate who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at age 11, criticised the 'chronically dishonest' culture of government, which he says makes it difficult for people with autism spectrum disorders to understand politicians' true intentions. He cited the confusing language in debates over transgender rights as an example, contrasting it with Nigel Farage's plain-speaking style. 'This game is stressful for most people, but for anyone wired for truth-seeking, it's downright impossible,' Delo remarked.
Reform Party's Response and Broader Implications
Nigel Farage welcomed Delo's support, stating that it would 'help Reform attract more of the skills and talents we need to get ready for government.' Farage added, 'It is particularly gratifying to me personally, that someone like Ben – a builder, visionary and problem-solver, who has spent a lifetime grasping trends before other people do, sees the potential of Reform.'
Delo's return is not without controversy. In 2022, he was fined £7.5 million by the United States for failing to establish an anti-money laundering scheme for his company, though he was pardoned by former President Donald Trump last year. Despite this, his charitable foundation has donated £100 million to fund research and education, support autistic children, and champion free speech.
Political Activism and Future Prospects
Delo explained that he has become politically active to rescue Britain from the 'entrenched self-deception of our elites' and their 'regime of nonsense.' He praised Reform for 'recognising and articulating the full scale of the problems our country faces,' adding, 'For the first time, I feel serious people are looking honestly at what it might take to fix Britain.'
Interestingly, Delo also expressed admiration for Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Rupert Lowe, who founded the Restore Britain party after a disagreement with Reform. This highlights the complex dynamics within British politics as parties vie for support ahead of the election.
With Reform heavily reliant on large donations, Delo's move underscores the ongoing battle over political funding and transparency. As the election approaches, his actions could set a precedent for other wealthy individuals seeking to influence the political landscape, challenging Labour's efforts to regulate overseas contributions and shaping the future of party financing in the UK.
