Multimillionaire Sir John Hall, a prominent Conservative donor and former Newcastle United owner, has defected to Reform UK as the party’s tax plans are scrutinised. Here’s the full story.
Donor Defection
Sir John Hall, the millionaire former owner of Newcastle United, property developer, and former Conservative donor, has donated significantly to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.
Extensive Conservative Support
Over the years, Sir John Hall has donated more than £500,000 to the Conservative Party. His support extended beyond financial contributions; he was an active campaign participant and an influential voice within the party.
Pivotal Financial Support
Hall’s financial support has been pivotal in previous Conservative campaigns, including Theresa May’s 2017 election bid, to which Hall donated £25,000.
Growing Discontent
Despite his considerable support, Hall began to express discontent with May’s leadership, particularly her handling of Brexit and domestic policies.
Public Defection
Following his growing dissatisfaction with the Conservatives, Hall has decided to defect to Reform UK. At a recent election rally in Durham, Hall joined Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to announce his support for the party publicly.
Praise From Farage
Farage praised Hall as a “major success story, a role model,” thanking him for his public endorsement. The exact amount of Hall’s donation to Reform UK remains undisclosed, but his support adds substantial resources to the party.
Trend of Defections
This is not the first former Conservative who has shifted allegiance; several other notable defectors, such as former Conservative Party deputy chairman Lee Anderson and ex-Tory MP Lucy Allan, have joined Reform UK.
Rising Influence
Under the leadership of Nigel Farage and chairman Richard Tice, Reform UK has seen a rapid rise in support. Initially founded as the Brexit Party, Reform UK has rebranded itself and is rapidly eating into the vote share of the right in British politics.
Appeal to Dissatisfied Voters
The party’s appeal resonates particularly strongly with voters dissatisfied with the current Conservative party. Despite their rapid recent ascent, recent polls indicate that Reform UK holds 15% of the vote, trailing behind the Conservatives at 23% and Labour at 39%.
Tax Policy Analysis
It is perhaps unsurprising that a multimillionaire like Hall has supported Reform UK, following an analysis of Reform UK’s proposed tax policies, as a recent analysis from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has shown that Reform UK’s tax plans would disproportionately benefit higher earners.
Farage’s Tax Claims
Nigel Farage has championed raising the income tax threshold from £12,571 to £20,000, claiming it would benefit millions of low-paid workers by exempting them from paying income tax.
Disproportionate Benefits
However, analysis by the IPPR has shown that raising the higher rate threshold from £50,271 to £70,000 would result in significant tax cuts for the wealthiest, with the top 10% of earners gaining nearly £6,000 annually. In contrast, the lowest earners would see a minimal increase of £221 annually.
Misaligned Policy
Critics argue that Reform UK’s tax policy is misaligned with its claim of being “for the left behind.”
Expert Criticism
Dr. Jamie O’Hallaran from the IPPR told Sky News, “These tax cuts would be both very costly and disproportionately benefit those on the highest incomes.”
Public Service Pressure
She added, “At a time when public services and household finances are under such pressure, this would be highly irresponsible. Polls also show this is not what the public want. Voters are crying out for public services that work, not tax cuts for the top 10%.”
Fairness Concerns
This discrepancy raises questions about the fairness and fiscal responsibility of the policy, especially during a period when public services are increasingly struggling, and the cost of living crisis is still hitting households hard.
Farage’s Defense
Despite the criticism, Nigel Farage has defended the tax plan, stating at the party’s manifesto launch in South Wales that “I think the most innovative policy that we’ve put out in here is to raise the level at which people start paying tax to £20,000 a year. That would be a good thing, of course, for those on low pay.”
Skewed Benefits
However, detailed analyses contradict Farage’s claims, showing that the policy’s benefits are skewed towards the wealthy.
Defection Implications
Sir John Hall’s defection to Reform UK indicates the increasing problems the Conservatives face. With previous Conservative voters growing increasingly disillusioned with the party under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Reform UK is increasingly tailoring their policies to appeal to this demographic.
Growing Influence
The party’s ability to attract high-profile defectors like Hall indicates its growing influence, but serious questions remain regarding its party’s credibility.
Future Uncertainty
As the election draws closer, it remains to be seen if Conservative defectors like Hall will influence voters who will not benefit from Reform UK’s tax policies to vote for the party regardless.
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The post Farage Delighted As Ex-Tory Donor Throws Huge Financial Weight Behind Reform UK first appeared on Edge Media.
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