Should he stop interfering in British politics? The world’s richest man has torn into the British government on X. Some welcome him with open arms. Others think he should back off.
Musk wants to oust Starmer to save UK
Should he stop interfering in British politics? The world's richest man has torn into the British government on X. Some welcome him with open arms. Others think he should back off.
After six months of press attacks and petty scandals, the British government hoped for a calm start to the New Year. But no sooner had ParliamentAn assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws. returned from the Christmas recess than a storm erupted.
Owner of the platform X, Elon Musk launched a barrage of tweets accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other Labour politicians of allowing "groomingLuring, or persuading. gangs" to roam Britain.
Musk's accusations stem from a terrible, decades-old crisis. In 2021, The Times reported on the sexual exploitation of young girls by gangs of criminals across parts of England. Channel 4 broadcast a documentary on grooming gangs in Bradford in 2004.
A subsequent investigation found that at least 1,400 children had been groomed between 1997 and 2013 in the town of Rotherham.1 Similar gangs operated in other places. Many of the perpetrators were British Pakistani men.
As Britain's chief prosecutor at the time, Starmer targeted the gangs. Yet Musk shouts that Starmer is "deeply complicitTo be involved with others in an unlawful or morally wrong activity. " in failing to bring the perpetrators to justice.2
Some have embraced Musk's statements. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has seized on them to attack the government. Her party attempted to force the government to open a new inquiryAsking for information. Also used to refer to long official investigations. on the grooming gangs.
Many would agree that the official response to the grooming gangs has not been good enough. A national review released in 2022 contained 20 recommendations to protect children. The Conservative government failed to implement most of them.
Officials implicated are still at large. The 2014 report condemned Rotherham's council for failing to protect the girls. A report in The Times this week found that some of the officials implicated have moved on to better jobs within the organisation.
Musk has long believed that free speech is threatened in Britain. When right-wingSometimes referred to as 'conservative', this is a range of political beliefs that emphasise the value of tradition, individual freedom and responsibility, low taxes and a hands-off approach to government. journalist Allison Pearson was visited by police over a photo caption last year, Musk described the incident as "deeply sinister".3 Perhaps he is simply affirmingDeclare that something is true, or show your support for it. everyone's right to say what they want.
The rich and powerful have always used their influence. We let Rupert Murdoch run newspapers. What makes Musk's use of X any different?
Others find Musk's interventions very alarming. His claims are a combination of unfounded speculation and exaggerated attack. The New York Times calls them "misinformationIncorrect or misleading information unintentionally presented as fact. It can be contrasted with disinformation or deliberate lies.".
Ian Hislop, who edits satirical magazine Private Eye, questioned Musk's intrusion into UK politics. "He's riddled with contradictions," Hislop told Andrew Marr's LBC radio show, "and at some point I am hoping that even his followers will begin to notice that from sentence to sentence, he makes no sense."
This battle is just the latest in Musk's attempts to destabilise the Starmer government. A Financial Times report claims he wants to "remove" Starmer from office. This would be an undemocratic attack on the British government by a South Africa-born, US-based billionaire.
Musk called Labour minister Jess Phillips a "genocideThe annihilation of a people, either through killing of its members, or through the suppression of its culture. apologist" who should be jailed. Phillips is a long-time activist on violence against women. She says that Musk's "disinformation" is "endangering" her life.4
And even if Musk were extraordinarily intelligent, it is not possible that a single man could understand the complexities of this horrific case. He should leave the issue to the experts.
Should he stop interfering in British politics?
Yes: Why should the world dance along to the whims of a capriciousGiven to sudden and unexplained changes in mood and behaviour. billionaire? Musk is a toxic attention-seeker who seeks to remake the world in his own image. We should ignore him completely.
No: Everyone should be allowed to speak their mind. That Musk has an enormous platform does not change this. And as a businessman whose products are sold in the UK, he deserves a stake in it.
Or... There is no easy way to stop Musk. The rich have always influenced politics. But it would be better if he phrased his interferences in a way which did not lead to attacks on politicians such as Jess Phillips.
parliament - An assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws.
Grooming - Luring, or persuading.
Complicit - To be involved with others in an unlawful or morally wrong activity.
Inquiry - Asking for information. Also used to refer to long official investigations.
Right-wing - Sometimes referred to as 'conservative', this is a range of political beliefs that emphasise the value of tradition, individual freedom and responsibility, low taxes and a hands-off approach to government.
Affirming - Declare that something is true, or show your support for it.
Misinformation - Incorrect or misleading information unintentionally presented as fact. It can be contrasted with disinformation or deliberate lies.
Genocide - The annihilation of a people, either through killing of its members, or through the suppression of its culture.
Capricious - Given to sudden and unexplained changes in mood and behaviour.
Musk wants to oust Starmer to save UK

Glossary
parliament - An assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws.
Grooming - Luring, or persuading.
Complicit - To be involved with others in an unlawful or morally wrong activity.
Inquiry - Asking for information. Also used to refer to long official investigations.
Right-wing - Sometimes referred to as 'conservative', this is a range of political beliefs that emphasise the value of tradition, individual freedom and responsibility, low taxes and a hands-off approach to government.
Affirming - Declare that something is true, or show your support for it.
Misinformation - Incorrect or misleading information unintentionally presented as fact. It can be contrasted with disinformation or deliberate lies.
Genocide - The annihilation of a people, either through killing of its members, or through the suppression of its culture.
Capricious - Given to sudden and unexplained changes in mood and behaviour.