Tory donor Nick Candy has resigned from the Conservative Party to join Nigel Farage’s Reform following “too many broken promises”.
The billionaire entrepreneur and Tory donor since 2009 will become Reform’s treasurer in the New Year.
Mr Candy, 51, said: “I have today resigned my membership of the Conservative Party after many years of active support and substantial donations to the party.
“I am sorry to say there have been too many broken promises and a complete breach of trust with the wealth creators in our country.
“Nigel Farage is a close personal friend of mine, and Reform UK represents the future of British politics.
“I am pleased to announce that I will now become the Treasurer for Reform UK and intend to raise enough funds for them to win the next general election. I will take up the role in the new year.”
Mr Candy is married to Australian actress and singer Holly Valance, a prominent Reform backer.
He had donated more than £270,000 to the Conservatives between 2020 and 2022.
Reform leader Mr Farage said: “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.”
Mr Candy appeared to back Labour at the July election after slamming the Tories’ “infighting”.
The property tycoon had admitted he was “naturally a Tory” but praised Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer as “a decent man with good values” and said it was “time for a change”.
Meanwhile, Suella Braverman, the Conservative former home secretary, has dispelled rumours she will defect to Reform.
Her husband, Rael Braverman, is set to join Mr Farage’s party and has confirmed he left the Tories as the party “has become a shadow of what it once stood for”.
But Ms Braverman—who played a senior role in the last government and has since served as one of its most vocal critics—said she would not follow her spouse’s move as he does not “control my political affiliations.”
