Nick Candy vows to help Reform disrupt British politics ‘like we have never seen’

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Nick Candy, the new treasurer of Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform Party, has promised Britain “political disruption like we’ve never seen before” as he claims he has several other billionaire backers besides Elon Musk.

The property developer told the Financial Times that he would “raise more money than any other political party” and that Reform would have more members than the Conservatives within three months as it wooed disillusioned Tory and Labor voters.

“We have a number of billionaires willing to donate to the party, not just Elon,” Candy said. “The Reform Party is the disruptor. this is the main round, Series A. This will be a political disruption like we’ve never seen before.”

“The oldest political party in the world will surpass the youngest political party on the planet,” he added.

Many in Westminster fear that Musk’s financial intervention could have a significant and lasting impact on British politics, giving Reform the resources to become an established power machine.

The party has just five MPs, but came second in July’s general election with 98 seats, 89 of which went to Labour.

After meeting Musk this week at US President-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, Florida residence, Farage said the Tesla and X owner was “seriously considering” donating.

Foreigners can give money to UK political parties through British businesses they own, but are banned from donating directly.

The Electoral Commission, the UK elections watchdog, is in discussions with the government about changing the law to ensure that only profits made in the UK can be donated to parties;supported by Sir Keir Starmer’s Ethics Adviser.

House of Commons leader Lucy Powell confirmed on Sunday that the government will introduce legislation as early as next year to ensure political donations are “fair and robust”.

Candy, who arranged the meeting between Musk and Farage, said the American billionaire would be “the first of many wealthy donors who are legally allowed to donate.” He declined to name other billionaires who are willing to donate.

Candy, who defected from the Tories to reform this monthpledged to give the party at least £1 million of his own money. He said the cash raised would be spent on “gamification, data analysis and surveys” for a party that needs to build its infrastructure and systems.

Describing Reform as having “more conservative values ​​than the Conservative Party”, Candy said: “Even big Tory donors are calling me . . Many people will join us. The movement has begun.”

In November, Reform announced it had passed 100,000 members, while the Tory party has around 130,000 members.

Candy criticized the former Conservative government and the current Labor administration for overseeing “the biggest brain drain this country has ever seen. So many people are disappointed. We are in a serious slump and we need to stop it.”

The reforms, which hope to win hundreds of council seats and at least one mayor in May’s local elections, have been boosted in recent weeks by a number of senior Tory defections.

They include Tim Montgomery, founder of the ConservativeHome website, and former Tory MP Dame Andrea Jenkins.