Labour sends 'urgent request' to members after Reform UK receives £72million in donation in 24 hours

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The Labour Party traditionally relies on small contributions from members and funding from trade unions

Labour has sent an "urgent request" to members to donate to the party.

Andy Burnham's party has asked supporters to "chip in" up to £10 each, with donations starting at £3.

In a message sent to its members, the party claims funds will help "Labour fight back" against Nigel Farage and Reform UK.

They brand Mr Farage's messaging as "divisive" and claim Reform's recent donations "have to be a call to action."

The full message read: "This has never happened before in British politics.

"Two donors have given Reform £72 million. In a single day. Both crypto-billionaires.

"This is a record-breaking financial backing - but for us it has to be a call to action.

"Think about what £72 million can mean in an election. More ads. More reach. More opportunities to put Farage's divisive message in front of millions of people, again and again and again."

They added: "We cannot let less than a handful of extraordinarily wealthy crypto-billionaires simply drown Labour's message out in elections to come.

"Reform dominating what voters see and hear, Labour fighting to be heard. That's why we urgently need you with us today.

"Please donate £3, E5, or whatever you can afford to help Labour fight back."

The Labour Party traditionally relies on small contributions from members and funding from trade unions.

It comes after Reform UK received a £36million donation from a crypto investor at the centre of a parliamentary investigation into Nigel Farage.

Christopher Harborne, the party’s biggest donor, matched the donation given yesterday by fellow cryptocurrency billionaire Ben Delo.

The Reform UK leader still faces a parliamentary investigation into whether he should have declared a £5million gift from Mr Harborne given shortly before he was first elected to the Commons in 2024.

Mr Harborne told The Telegraph: "What do I expect in return for my donations: nothing personally. No peerage, no policy change, just a Party that is ready for government.

"I have already accumulated enough wealth for the rest of my life. I am now committed to putting that to work for Britain and humanity as a whole."

Mr Farage added: "I am honoured and humbled that Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne have shown such confidence in Reform.

"Both men know that we are the only party that can turn the country around and win the next General Election - thanks to their generosity, we are now able to fight that election on a level playing field."