Dig deep! Reform frontbench promotes JCBs after £200,000 donation from firm
Reform UK politicians, including Nigel Farage and Lee Anderson, have actively promoted JCB's PotHole Pro machine, following a £200,000 donation from the company to the party. The promotion includes public appearances, social media posts, and mentions in election materials, with claims the machine repairs potholes faster and more cheaply than traditional methods. While several councils across party lines use the technology, the Liberal Democrats have raised concerns about potential impropriety linking public contracts and political donations.
- ▪Reform UK received a £200,000 donation from JCB after prominent party figures praised the company's PotHole Pro machine.
- ▪Nigel Farage, Lee Anderson, Robert Jenrick, Zia Yusuf, and Richard Tice have all publicly endorsed the JCB PotHole Pro in speeches, videos, and campaign events.
- ▪At least two Reform-run councils have adopted the JCB PotHole Pro through contractors, stating procurement rules were followed and no extra costs were incurred.
- ▪Labour, Conservative, SNP, and Liberal Democrat-led councils also use the JCB PotHole Pro, according to the company.
- ▪The Liberal Democrats have filed a complaint with the Electoral Commission, questioning whether political patronage influenced public contracts related to JCB.
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Farage described JCB as ‘one of the most incredible companies in the world’ last year. Photograph: Guy Bell/AlamyView image in fullscreenFarage described JCB as ‘one of the most incredible companies in the world’ last year. Photograph: Guy Bell/AlamyParty fundingDig Deep! Reform frontbench promotes JCBs after £200,000 donation from firmNigel Farage, Lee Anderson and Robert Jenrick, among others, have sung the praises of the JCB PotHole Pro Rowena Mason Whitehall editor Sat 2 May 2026 12.00 EDTLast modified on Sat 2 May 2026 12.02 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleReform UK’s leading figures have repeatedly promoted a new pothole-fixing machine by the construction company JCB, while the party received £200,000 from the British digger maker, the Guardian can reveal.Several Reform…
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