Defending Democracy from Dirty Money

About the Series

A radical network of politicians, think tanks, lobby groups, and media outlets is attempting to scupper the UK’s clean energy transition by pumping out climate science denial. In this series, DeSmog unearths the big money backers behind this anti-climate project, which is polluting British democracy.

In This Series

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A media CEO who helped to stage an event with Reform’s main U.S. ally has publicly denounced the party’s leader.

A media CEO who helped to stage an event with Reform’s main U.S. ally has publicly denounced the party’s leader.
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The Reform leader will be skipping Parliament again in favour of a conference in Washington DC.

The Reform leader will be skipping Parliament again in favour of a conference in Washington DC.
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A “rogue” government could seize sensitive information on UK residents, data privacy experts fear.

A “rogue” government could seize sensitive information on UK residents, data privacy experts fear.
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An academic with ties to Reform slammed the UK’s strong support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

An academic with ties to Reform slammed the UK’s strong support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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The party is allowing corporate executives to buy time with Farage at its annual conference.

The party is allowing corporate executives to buy time with Farage at its annual conference.
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The Reform UK leader has addressed several anti-climate outfits with ties to Donald Trump – while making nearly £1 million on top of his MP’s salary.

The Reform UK leader has addressed several anti-climate outfits with ties to Donald Trump – while making nearly £1 million on top of his MP’s salary.
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The Reform leader has barely spoken about his constituency, a deprived area at high risk from the effects of climate change.

The Reform leader has barely spoken about his constituency, a deprived area at high risk from the effects of climate change.
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A U.S. group with close ties to the Trump administration is convening the panel in Westminster.

A U.S. group with close ties to the Trump administration is convening the panel in Westminster.
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Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy has been attempting to extract cash from fossil fuel executives.

Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy has been attempting to extract cash from fossil fuel executives.
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The Reform UK leader reiterated false climate claims at Jordan Peterson’s Alliance for Responsible Citizenship event in London.

The Reform UK leader reiterated false climate claims at Jordan Peterson’s Alliance for Responsible Citizenship event in London.
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The Reform UK leader baselessly suggested that farms were being cleared to make way for immigrants.

The Reform UK leader baselessly suggested that farms were being cleared to make way for immigrants.
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A pro-Trump, pro-oil oligarchy is being convened by a group backed by the owners of GB News, campaigners say.

A pro-Trump, pro-oil oligarchy is being convened by a group backed by the owners of GB News, campaigners say.
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The Reform UK leader is betting his home on climate denial, campaigners say.

The Reform UK leader is betting his home on climate denial, campaigners say.
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The Heartland Institute, which questions human-made climate change, has established a new branch in London.

The Heartland Institute, which questions human-made climate change, has established a new branch in London.
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Tickets at the event in Chicago cost up to $50,000 for the chance to have dinner with the Reform UK leader.

Tickets at the event in Chicago cost up to $50,000 for the chance to have dinner with the Reform UK leader.
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Clacton is uniquely exposed to rising sea levels, but local voters are unlikely to find a champion in their new MP.

Clacton is uniquely exposed to rising sea levels, but local voters are unlikely to find a champion in their new MP.
Analysis
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The intake includes a property developer who dubbed CO2 merely “plant food” and the former chair of Southampton Football Club, who blames wildfires entirely on arsonists.

The intake includes a property developer who dubbed CO2 merely “plant food” and the former chair of Southampton Football Club, who blames wildfires entirely on arsonists.
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Interviewed at a bikers cafe, Farage said the UK’s legally binding commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions would “make absolutely almost no difference whatsoever”.

Interviewed at a bikers cafe, Farage said the UK’s legally binding commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions would “make absolutely almost no difference whatsoever”.
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Reform’s leader has been criticised in recent days for claiming the west provoked Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Reform’s leader has been criticised in recent days for claiming the west provoked Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Scientific modelling indicates that areas of Clacton could be submerged annually.

Scientific modelling indicates that areas of Clacton could be submerged annually.
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The anti-net zero party has been bankrolled by oil and gas investors, aviation entrepreneurs, and those who reject climate science.

The anti-net zero party has been bankrolled by oil and gas investors, aviation entrepreneurs, and those who reject climate science.
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The Reform UK leader is a vocal opponent of net zero policies, and has questioned the basis of established climate science.

The Reform UK leader is a vocal opponent of net zero policies, and has questioned the basis of established climate science.
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All of the anti-net zero party’s funders in 2023 have oil and gas investments or ties to climate science denial.

All of the anti-net zero party’s funders in 2023 have oil and gas investments or ties to climate science denial.
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‘Vote Power, Not Poverty’ co-founder Richard Tice says politicians want to make money from the “green agenda” while Farage has campaigned against climate action for years.

‘Vote Power, Not Poverty’ co-founder Richard Tice says politicians want to make money from the “green agenda” while Farage has campaigned against climate action for years.