Musk’s possible meddling in UK politics stirs concern
- Musk’s far-right leanings raise fears of polarization in UK politics
- His alliance with Trump complicates Labour’s US relations strategy
As tech billionaire Elon Musk shows a growing interest in British politics and seems to be getting close to hard-right firebrand MP Nigel Farage, concerns are mounting in the UK.
There are concerns that Musk, the richest man in the world, may try to influence London's future relations with Washington since he was appointed to a new role in Donald Trump's prospective US administration.
Farage, the leader of the new anti-immigration reform UK party, stated on Wednesday that he was in discussions with Musk about contributing to his party.
According to Farage's article in the Telegraph, "the matter of money was broached" during his Monday meeting with the owner of X at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
The ardent Euroskeptic stated that "negotiations on that score will continue," in
Musk "put us in no doubt that he is right behind us," Farage continued, referring to the Conservative and Labour parties as the uniparty.
Farage stated that they would need to figure out how to guarantee that any gift from Musk was done "legally through UK corporations," but the concept that surfaced a few weeks ago has already made UK politicians shudder.
Both Labour and the Conservatives lost support as Reform UK won five seats in the 650-seat UK parliament in the general election held in July.
Farage is already anticipating the upcoming general elections, which must take place no later than 2029.
Any such donation from Musk would be "essentially purchasing" one of the major parties in the UK, according to Dominic Johnson, co-chairman of the Conservative party.
Russell Foster, a senior lecturer in British and international politics at King's College, stated that "people like Elon Musk, like Donald Trump, like Nigel Farage... the sort of the new right, they genuinely loathe the old right," which is thought to have become too liberal.
Neither the left nor the center were able to eradicate this ancient right. When a more right-wing movement emerges, they are eradicated.
Musk has so far been satisfied with criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government, starting.
According to some analysts, Musk is also upset about the UK government's intentions to strengthen laws governing social media.
According to people close to him, Starmer claimed that internet content was the cause of the rioting and later declined to invite Musk to an investors' meeting, which the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla had viewed as a slight.
Musk and Trump have been inseparable since the US presidential election, and their "bromance" may make it more difficult for Labour to strengthen its connections with the Republicans.
Although Labour has traditionally had a closer relationship with Democrats, Starmer has been working to change the party's relationship with Republicans. In September, Starmer met Trump in New York.
The prime minister is eager to collaborate with President Trump and his team.
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