Concerns are growing in the United Kingdom as tech billionaire Elon Musk takes an increasingly close interest in Britain’s political landscape, appearing to cozy up to hard-right firebrand lawmaker Nigel Farage. As Musk takes on a new position in the incoming U.S. administration under Donald Trump, there are fears that the world’s richest man could seek to influence London’s future ties with Washington.
A Close Encounter at Mar-a-Lago
On Monday, Farage, the leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, confirmed he had met Musk at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Writing in the Telegraph newspaper, Farage revealed that discussions between the two had included talks about a potential donation to Reform UK. “The issue of money was discussed,” Farage said, with “ongoing negotiations” expected. Reports have speculated that Musk could donate up to $100 million to the Reform party. While Musk and Farage did not discuss figures directly, Farage noted that Musk was critical of the Labour and Conservative parties, describing them as the “uniparty” and signaling his support for the Reform UK movement.
Farage’s revelation has sent ripples through the UK’s political landscape, unnerving the ruling Labour party and the main Conservative opposition. “People like Elon Musk, like Donald Trump, like Nigel Farage… the sort of the new right, they really hate the old right,” said Russell Foster, a senior lecturer in British and International Politics at King’s College London. “The old right were not killed off by the left or center; they’re killed off because a more right-wing movement comes along.”
Controversial Influence and Concerns
The involvement of Musk in UK politics has sparked concerns about undue influence and the potential for a “foreign power” to meddle in domestic affairs. Conservative party co-chairman Dominic Johnson commented that a donation from Musk would be akin to “buying” one of the UK’s political parties. The idea that Musk, with his vast wealth and influence, could directly fund political movements in another country is troubling to many, particularly given the precedent it could set.
Musk’s increasing involvement in the UK is not just about donations; it’s also about shaping public opinion and policy. Recently, Musk has been vocal on his social network X, criticizing the Labour government and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In November, he denounced the Labour government’s stance as a “tyrannical police state” and in September, he advised people against visiting the UK, citing issues with prisoner release policies and the approach to handling social media posts. Such comments have resonated with a far-right faction within the UK, winning Musk a significant following among social network users and influencers who view him as a champion against the establishment.
The Pragmatic Approach
The Labour party’s response to Musk’s involvement in UK politics has been mixed. While historically closer to the Democrats, Labour leader Keir Starmer has been keen to open new avenues for relations with Republicans. This was demonstrated when Starmer met Trump in New York in September. The Labour party is now cautious about alienating Musk and Trump, given their potential influence over the Republican base and US policy. A Downing Street spokesman confirmed last month that the UK government was looking forward to working with Trump and his team, including Musk.
For many in the Labour party, the question is one of pragmatism. Former cabinet minister Peter Mandelson emphasized that ignoring Musk’s influence would be “unwise” and urged Labour to be “practical” about its relationship with key figures like Farage and Musk. “Farage is a bridgehead, both to President Trump and to Elon Musk and others,” Mandelson said. “You’ve got to be pragmatic, practical about this. The special relationship with Washington is crucial, regardless of who is in the White House.”
A New Chapter in UK-US Relations?
The involvement of Musk and Farage represents a new chapter in UK-US relations, particularly as Labour seeks to reframe its image and align more closely with Republican values. “Starmer is very aware that he can’t alienate the incoming US president,” said Foster. “We think that we have to maintain that special relationship. So it doesn’t matter who’s in the White House, we’re always going to be nice towards Washington.” The Labour party’s strategy, therefore, appears to be one of engagement, albeit carefully managed to avoid overstepping into the realms of influence peddling.
As Reform UK prepares for the next general elections, due by 2029 at the latest, the influence of Musk and the potential for significant financial backing could play a crucial role in shaping the party’s future. Farage’s ambitions to build a new political force that can challenge the Labour and Conservative establishments may now rely heavily on Musk’s resources and support. In this shifting landscape, the question of whether financial influence can undermine the democratic process remains a concern for many UK lawmakers and voters.
