Gabrielle Wilde
Guest Reporter
Billionaire property tycoon Nick Candy has pledged to raise more than £40million in donations after being appointed as Reform UK's new treasurer.
The former Conservative Party donor announced his defection to Nigel Farage's party, where he will take up the fundraising role in the new year.
Speaking to GB News, Candy said he would "significantly better" the £25-40million previously raised by other political parties.
GB News understands more than £3million has been pledged already this today by business people.
He said: "I will make sure that Reform UK weill have the right funds to run their businesses correctly.
"I think that £25-40 million has been raised before for previous parties, I think that I will do significantly better than that.
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"Already this morning I have had millions of pounds of donations from people who have never donated politically before donating to this party.
"But it is not just about getting rich donors and billionaires, we need the guys that have got £1 to £25.
"It is £25 to be a member of Reform, Reform has 100,000 members and the Tories have 130,000. I'm sure in the next six months Reform will go past the Tory party membership. That will be a game changer."
He added: "My only job is to raise them the funds to do it properly."
The billionaire also revealed that the former Prime Minister Boris Johson will be "upset" that he has lost Candy's support, but "at the end of the day we are friends".
He explained: "I resigned my membership last night. I've spoken to Boris and other people and I think they will be upset that I've gone to Reform.
"But at the end of the day, we're friends. We can have different views on religion, business, politics doesn't mean I'm not your friend."
Candy's move to Reform UK follows several high-profile Conservative defections in recent weeks.
Former Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns joined Reform UK last month to become the party's mayoral candidate for Lincolnshire.
Conservative Home founder Tim Montgomerie also switched allegiance last week amid Reform's surge in the polls.
Reform's leader Nigel Farage welcomed Candy's appointment, stating: "I warmly welcome this decision. We are the fastest-growing movement in British politics today, and Nick's efforts will help Reform UK transform our country."
The party described Candy's appointment as its "latest coup" ahead of the local elections in May.
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The former Conservative Party donor announced his defection to Nigel Farage's party, where he will take up the fundraising role in the new year.
Speaking to GB News, Candy said he would "significantly better" the £25-40million previously raised by other political parties.
GB News understands more than £3million has been pledged already this today by business people.
He said: "I will make sure that Reform UK weill have the right funds to run their businesses correctly.
"I think that £25-40 million has been raised before for previous parties, I think that I will do significantly better than that.
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"Already this morning I have had millions of pounds of donations from people who have never donated politically before donating to this party.
"But it is not just about getting rich donors and billionaires, we need the guys that have got £1 to £25.
"It is £25 to be a member of Reform, Reform has 100,000 members and the Tories have 130,000. I'm sure in the next six months Reform will go past the Tory party membership. That will be a game changer."
He added: "My only job is to raise them the funds to do it properly."
The billionaire also revealed that the former Prime Minister Boris Johson will be "upset" that he has lost Candy's support, but "at the end of the day we are friends".
He explained: "I resigned my membership last night. I've spoken to Boris and other people and I think they will be upset that I've gone to Reform.
"But at the end of the day, we're friends. We can have different views on religion, business, politics doesn't mean I'm not your friend."
Candy's move to Reform UK follows several high-profile Conservative defections in recent weeks.
Former Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns joined Reform UK last month to become the party's mayoral candidate for Lincolnshire.
Conservative Home founder Tim Montgomerie also switched allegiance last week amid Reform's surge in the polls.
Reform's leader Nigel Farage welcomed Candy's appointment, stating: "I warmly welcome this decision. We are the fastest-growing movement in British politics today, and Nick's efforts will help Reform UK transform our country."
The party described Candy's appointment as its "latest coup" ahead of the local elections in May.
Find Out More...