Nigel Farage's Reform UK boosts Facebook ad spend as he plans £700k beachfront renovation

Reform UK dramatically increased its digital campaigning ahead of the May 2024 election, spending £252,000 on Facebook ads in the final two weeks – nearly matching Labour’s £276,000 spend. The party’s spend was concentrated on two pages, its main site and Farage’s personal page, and used precise postcode‑level targeting, signalling a more professionalised online strategy.

At the same time, Reform leader Nigel Farage has been scrutinised for a £5 million donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The cash, claimed to be for security, is now linked to a planned £700,000 refurbishment of Farage’s beachfront property in Greatstone, Kent. Planning permission for the extensive renovation was granted in November, with the upgraded home expected to be valued at over £1 million once completed.