NICK Candy has become the latest high profile Tory member to defect to Reform UK.
Nigel Farage’s party has secured the support of the billionaire property tycoon, who described the Reform leader as the “saviour of this country”.
Speaking to The Independent, Candy has already pledged to raise more money for Reform UK than any political party in the UK has ever raised.
Here’s all you need to know.
Who is Nick Candy?
Candy, 51, was born to a Greek-Cypriot mother and English father in London and attended Epsom College as a youngster.
He then graduated from the University of Reading with a degree in human geography.
Primarily, he has made his money through property and, according to Celebrity Net Worth, is believed to be worth around £2 billion.
He was also previously linked with a bid to buy Premier League football club Chelsea.
Candy will be known to some people as the husband of Australian actress Holly Valance, who played Felicity Scully in the soap Neighbours.
How did Candy make his money?
In 1995, Candy and his brother Christian purchased a one-bedroom flat in Earls Court in London and, after completing a renovation, sold it on for a £50,000 profit.
It led to the launch of the business venture Candy & Candy in 1999 with the business having taken on multiple luxury projects. This includes retail complex One Hyde Park in Knightsbridge.
Candy (above) would then go onto take sole ownership of the business in 2018 before diversifying into other investments, such as mining in the Philippines.
He has donated money to the Tories in the past having been a member of the party, racking up more than £270,000 worth of donations since 2020.
Prior to this, he donated £70,000 through his company, according to The Times.
What has he said about his defection?
Speaking to ITV about his defection, Candy said: “I love our country. I think we have a great country but I think our country is in serious decline.
“I still have a lot of friends in the Tory Party and the Labour Party and that’s not going to change, they’re my friends for life.
“But I believe that Nigel Farage and Reform are going to be the saviour of this country.”
'Nigel Farage is going to be the saviour of this country' Property Tycoon Nick Candy defects to Reform from the Conservative Party Candy also previously signaled support for Labour during the general election pic.twitter.com/IQKZHRYUGj
— ITVPolitics (@ITVNewsPolitics) December 10, 2024
Farage welcomed the Tory donor who had helped to raise “very large amounts of money” for politics and business.
He said Candy was one of the “greatest fundraisers you could possibly have” and that Reform could go onto a “big election win” with proper backing.
Candy has also pledged to donate a "seven-figure" sum to Reform UK.
Lockdown controversy
Reform’s new billionaire donor…remember him? pic.twitter.com/wIx0eCq91Y
— Tom Blenkinsop (@TomBlenkinsop) December 10, 2024
The Daily Mirror previously reported that Candy attended a Tory Christmas party on December 14, 2020 – when social mixing between households indoors was banned.
A spokesperson for Candy's businessman said in December 2021: “Nick Candy attended the office of Shaun Bailey campaign for an end of year review on December 14, 2020.
“He gave a short thank you speech to the team and spent some time with Shaun Bailey to discuss campaign matters before leaving shortly afterwards.”
