Globalist Billionaire Bassim Haidar Bankrolls Reform UK, Fueling Ideological Contradictions
The news that Bassim Haidar, a billionaire investor with extensive international business dealings, has become a significant donor to Reform UK has sparked considerable debate, highlighting a notable contradiction between the party’s stated anti-globalist agenda and its principal funder’s profile. Haidar, whose ventures span telecoms, fintech, and medical cannabis cultivation, has pledged £1 million to Reform UK, with £225,000 already donated between January and April 2025. This financial backing positions him as one of the party’s most substantial donors, yet his own globalist background and past involvement with organisations like the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Amnesty International appear at odds with Reform UK’s core messaging.
A Globalist Backing Britain’s Anti-Globalist Party
Bassim Haidar, a Nigerian-Lebanese businessman with Irish citizenship, has a career built on international enterprise. He founded companies such as Channel IT and Channel VAS (now Optasia), which operate in numerous countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, providing mobile financial services and fintech solutions to hundreds of millions of customers. His business interests are diverse, including technology, telecoms, logistics, energy, and notably, medicinal cannabis cultivation in South Africa through his venture SafriCanna. SafriCanna holds an EU GMP license and exports medical cannabis products to the EU and the UK, positioning Haidar as a key player in the burgeoning global cannabis market.
Haidar’s international profile extends beyond his business empire. He has been listed as a participant and speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, an organisation frequently criticised by Reform UK and its leader, Nigel Farage, as a symbol of “global control”. While Haidar claims he resigned from the WEF in 2019, the organisation’s website previously listed him as a member. Furthermore, he previously served on Amnesty International’s Global Council, an organisation whose human rights advocacy Reform UK has vowed to dismantle. These affiliations paint a picture of a globalist figure whose background seems to contrast sharply with Reform UK’s platform.
Reform UK’s Anti-Globalist Stance and Haidar’s Investment
Reform UK has built its identity around a critique of “globalist elites,” advocating for policies such as stricter immigration controls, withdrawal from international human rights frameworks, and a nationalistic approach to sovereignty. The party’s rhetoric often targets international bodies and what it perceives as a globalist agenda detrimental to British interests. However, Haidar’s significant financial contribution challenges this narrative. He has publicly stated that he switched allegiance from the Conservative Party because it had “lost its way” and that he believes Nigel Farage can “bring this country back to its glory”. His support for Reform UK, particularly the pledge of £1 million, has made him a central figure in the party’s funding, which also relies on donations from individuals with ties to finance, property, and offshore interests.
A further point of divergence lies in the differing views on cannabis. While Haidar is a prominent investor in the medical cannabis sector through SafriCanna, Reform UK’s leadership, including Nigel Farage, has expressed skepticism about the drug, with Farage suggesting it causes “more long-term harm than most people realise”. This highlights another layer of contradiction in Haidar’s support for a party whose policies might not align with all aspects of his international business portfolio.
Shifting Allegiances and Political Implications
Haidar’s financial support for Reform UK comes after a period of considerable political realignment. He was previously a significant donor to the Conservative Party, having contributed over £700,000. However, he became disillusioned, citing the Conservatives’ perceived anti-business stance, particularly their pledge to abolish the non-dom tax regime, which he believed would drive wealth creators out of the UK. He views Nigel Farage and Reform UK as the viable alternative, believing they can reset the status quo and foster economic growth through pro-business policies.
This trend of donors switching from established parties to Reform UK is not isolated. Reform UK has been actively courting wealthy individuals and has seen contributions from those in sectors like finance and property, and even those with offshore financial interests. The party aims to professionalise its operations, drawing inspiration from other parties’ fundraising models and expanding its membership base to over 200,000. Haidar’s donation is seen as a significant boost, potentially inspiring further financial backing from the business community and strengthening Reform UK’s financial position as it seeks to challenge the established political order. The evolving landscape of political funding, especially concerning “globalist” figures bankrolling “anti-globalist” parties, continues to be a trending news item, raising questions about authenticity and political strategy in contemporary politics. The intersection of business interests, political ideology, and campaign finance remains a critical area of focus for understanding the dynamics of UK politics.
