LONDON — On Monday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sharply criticized the spreading of “lies and misinformation” that he believes threaten the integrity of democracy in the U.K., particularly in light of recent provocations from Elon Musk. The billionaire and CEO of Tesla has shown a significant and unpredictable involvement in British political affairs since the Labour Party’s election victory in July.
Utilizing his platform on X, Musk has aggressively called for new elections while suggesting drastic measures against Starmer, including imprisonment. Recently, he conducted an online poll asking his vast following whether “America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government.” During a question-and-answer session held at a hospital near London, Starmer took aim at those perpetuating falsehoods, especially Conservative politicians who have echoed sentiments expressed by Musk.
Musk’s engagement with U.K. politics has been particularly vocal, as he frequently shares criticisms of Starmer along with hashtags like “TwoTierKeir.” This tag refers to an unfounded allegation that policing in Britain is biased, favoring certain protest groups over others. Amidst a summer of rising anti-immigrant violence, Musk controversially stated that “civil war is inevitable.”
His recent focus has shifted to serious cases of child sexual abuse that have impacted Northern England communities, where groups of men, primarily of Pakistani descent, were convicted for grooming and exploiting young girls. This has led to far-right activists attempting to link these criminal cases with immigration issues, accusing politicians of silencing the discussion for fear of being labeled racist. Musk has advocated for a new public inquiry into the incidents, despite a comprehensive seven-year investigation conducted under the previous Conservative government. Many of its recommendations, including compensation for victims, remain unaddressed, although Starmer’s administration pledged to act on them swiftly.
Musk has also criticized Starmer regarding his previous role as England’s director of public prosecutions from 2008 to 2013, suggesting he did not adequately prosecute abusers. In defense of his record, Starmer emphasized that he reopened previously closed cases and changed the prosecution strategies related to child sexual exploitation.
Additionally, Starmer condemned Musk’s derogatory remarks about Jess Phillips, a government minister focused on addressing violence against women and girls. Musk labeled Phillips as a “rape genocide apologist,” leading to calls for her imprisonment. Starmer responded by stating that the extreme rhetoric of the far-right has crossed a dangerous line, highlighting that political discussions should be grounded in truth rather than fabrications.
Musk has also expressed support for the release of far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, who is incarcerated for contempt of court. Starmer criticized those who support Robinson, claiming they seek thrill from the violence that such figures promote.
Though Starmer largely refrained from directly naming Musk in his responses, presumably to avoid inadvertently elevating his profile, his concerns are echoed across Europe. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed apprehension about Musk’s involvement in German elections, particularly his endorsement of the far-right Alternative for Germany party.
Starmer pointed out that the core issue extends beyond Musk’s posts on X, stressing the responsibility of local politicians to protect democracy. He voiced worries that Conservative leaders, in their pursuit of attention, are unwittingly amplifying far-right narratives.
He articulated the danger of losing integrity in truthfulness, suggesting it leads society down a precarious path. While some Conservative figures have echoed Musk’s criticisms, the most notable beneficiary of his attention appears to be Reform U.K., a hard-right political party led by Nigel Farage. Despite its limited representation in the House of Commons, plans for growth exist, and rumors have circulated regarding Musk potentially investing millions into the party.
However, Farage has distanced himself from Robinson, and just recently, Musk suggested that the Reform Party needs new leadership, implying that Farage lacks the necessary qualities. In response, Farage acknowledged Musk’s influence but maintained that he disagrees with the characterization of his leadership capabilities.
