Peers to debate donations law changes after Reform's £72m windfall

The House of Lords will debate changes to political donation laws on Monday following Reform UK's receipt of £72 million from two British billionaires in just 24 hours. Critics are calling for restrictions on donations from British expats, including a £100,000 cap for donations from those living abroad. The government aims to introduce the £100,000 cap backdated to March 25th.

Labour's Unite the Union, a major funder, supports limiting individual donations, while Reform UK accuses Labour of attempting to "rig the system." The Labour peer Lord Wills plans to amend the bill to cap donations from UK residents as well. Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary, argues that the issue of billionaires donating millions is different from everyday workers contributing small amounts.

The government has proposed a minimum residency period for the cap to apply, as well as enforcing compliance retrospectively, requiring non-compliant individuals to return the money. Reform UK's economic spokesman, Robert Jenrick, maintains that the donations were "entirely in line with the law." The government has established a taskforce to tackle the issue of "mega-donors."