Overseas Voters in UK Face £100,000 Political Donations Cap for One Year

Overseas voters moving to the UK will be limited to political donations of no more than £100,000 for one year after their arrival, according to new proposals announced by the government on July 6, 2026. This restriction aims to curb foreign influence in UK elections.

New Political Donation Rules for Overseas Voters

The proposed changes come alongside stricter regulations on company donations. Officials believe these measures will help eliminate foreign money from UK politics. Previously, a £100,000 cap on donations from British citizens living abroad was announced, retroactively applied from March 25. Now, the government wants to ensure that individuals are established in the UK for a minimum period before they can exceed this limit.

This change particularly impacts prominent donors like Christopher Harborne, a billionaire based in Thailand, who previously made a single donation of £9 million to Reform UK. Harborne has indicated that he will continue to support the party despite the new rules. Additionally, fellow cryptocurrency investor Ben Delo has announced plans to relocate back to the UK to increase his contributions.

Impact on Political Donations from Companies

In addition to individual donation caps, the government plans to revise the assessment criteria for corporate donations. Future contributions will be evaluated based on post-tax profits from the last five years instead of total revenue. This measure aims to ensure that only legitimate UK-linked businesses can participate in political funding.

Candidates running for election will also face stricter requirements. They must verify that any funding received prior to their candidacy comes from legitimate sources and declare donations exceeding £2,230 made before their official candidacy.

Government's Commitment to Electoral Integrity

The amendments will be introduced to the Representation of the People Bill, which is set for further discussion in the House of Commons on July 14. Communities Secretary Steve Reed emphasized the importance of these changes, stating, "British democracy is not for sale. These tough new rules will shut down dodgy funding, stop foreign money influencing our elections, and keep our democracy strong."

The proposals are part of a broader response to a review led by former senior civil servant Philip Rycroft, which was initiated last year to address threats from foreign entities attempting to interfere in British democracy. Earlier in March, the government also announced a ban on cryptocurrency donations to UK political parties.

While the Reform UK party has criticized the proposed changes, accusing the Labour party of undermining legal funding for its rivals, the government remains committed to enhancing the integrity of electoral processes.