Date of publication
20 August 2026
August 20, 2026 - A three-part documentary miniseries from Transparency International UK and Democracy for Sale launches today, exploring how the UK’s political system has grown dependent on the super-rich and the impact it has on democracy. With interviews from leading civil society and media experts, the series tells the story behind the numbers and the need for change.
Going, Going Almost Gone: how the super rich are buying UK democracy arrives as Prime Minister Andy Burnham declares his challenge is “to make politics work, to make it work better”. A political finance system that enables wealthy donors to gain access and influence and lets any UK-based individual donate unlimited sums is an obstacle to those ambitions.
In 2015, only one per cent of private donations came from companies and individuals giving £1 million or more. By 2024, this had risen to 35 per cent. And the public’s view on this is clear: more than four in five Britons (83%) believe wealthy individuals use political donations to influence the government in their own personal interests.
The series comes as MPs consider changes to elections and political finance rules through the Representation of the People Bill. But despite two decades of debate over the influence of big money in politics, the Government is yet introduce a universal cap on donations.
With no limit on how much a UK-based individual or company can give, there is a real risk that meaningful reform is once again kicked into the long grass while wealthy donors continue to wield disproportionate influence over our politics.
What the series examines
▶ Episode 1: How Big Money Is Corrupting UK Politics
Examines the surge in money entering UK politics, details on Reform’s funding from Cat Neilan and reflections from Peter Geoghegan on the challenge media often face reporting these stories.
▶ Episode 2: How Big Money Is Destroying Trust in UK Politics
Details what donors can often receive in return for their contributions, why the public is no longer trusts politicians and the impact that the inherent conflict of interest MPs have reforming this policy area has.
▶ Episode 3: Can British Democracy Be Saved? - 27 August
Discusses the Government’s proposed reforms in the Representation of People Bill and where it falls short, how the UK lags many comparable democracies in regulating political finance and what is at stake if this opportunity isn’t seized.
Expert contributors
- Peter Geoghegan, Editor, Democracy for Sale
- Duncan Hames, Director of Policy and Programmes, Transparency International UK
- Sue Hawley, Director, Spotlight on Corruption
- Faiza Shaheen, Executive Director, Tax Justice UK
- Cat Neilan, The Observer
- Oliver Bullough, author and journalist
Notes:
Going, Going Almost Gone is available to watch at: