Senior Tory urges Elon Musk to not help Reform UK

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Conservative shadow minister Andrew Griffith has urged Elon Musk to re-examine the Tories earlier than donating to Reform UK, highlighting his celebration’s low-tax and anti-woke credentials.

The tech billionaire mentioned the concept of ​​donating to Reform UK throughout a gathering Monday at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida with celebration chief Nigel Farage and his new treasurer Nick Sweet, in accordance with Farage.

The prospect of a giant donation from the world’s richest man to Farage’s right-wing populist celebration has sparked concern amongst Conservatives, who worry being outflanked by Reform UK on the subsequent normal election.

It additionally comes as Britain’s election watchdog requires modifications to UK legislation to guard the electoral system from overseas interference.

Griffith described Musk as a “tremendously proficient businessman” with pursuits within the UK, involved with points equivalent to free speech, or what he referred to as the “woke thoughts virus”. .

“I’d say to [Musk] or Nick, look what the Conservative Social gathering is doing,” Griffith informed the Monetary Instances in an interview on Wednesday.

He argued that the Conservatives had been the perfect car for opposition to Sir Keir Starmer’s Labor authorities.

“In the event you actually need to oppose this very socialist authorities, which many see as a risk to free speech, actually, , take a superb take a look at the entire menu earlier than you go down any specific path ,” Griffith stated.

The shadow enterprise secretary highlighted his position when he was a Metropolis of London minister final yr in serving to folks, together with Farage, who stated they’d been refused a checking account due to their political opinions.

He additionally highlighted Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch’s criticism of the now-closed NHS Tavistock youngsters’s gender id clinic in London.

The prospect of Musk’s help for Reform UK emerged this week when he, Farage and former Tory donor and property tycoon Sweet had been photographed collectively at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence.

Farage posted the picture on Musk’s X platform on Tuesday with the remark: “Britain wants reform.” Musk replied: “Completely.”

Griffith declined to say whether or not he actively wished Musk, a distinguished Trump ally, to donate to the conservative celebration, saying that was not a part of his position.

However the shadow enterprise secretary stated he had spoken to senior officers within the new Trump administration and shared their views on the necessity to spend taxpayers’ cash extra properly.

“I am not pretending I used to be going to Mar-a-Lago to tweet about this, however I spent every week in Washington speaking with folks in and across the potential administration and what is going on to occur. transfer ahead by way of authorities effectivity,” Griffith added. .

Additionally Wednesday, a spokesperson for Badenoch stated the Conservative chief was “an enormous fan of Elon Musk and what he did with X.”

Badenoch supported the precept of a British model of “Doge”, the Division of Authorities Effectivity deliberate by Trump and which might be co-led by Musk, his spokesperson added. The advisory unit goals to cut back paperwork.

Badenoch “believes that there was over-regulation and that too usually our first response has been extra authorities” in Britain, his spokesman stated.

He didn’t give a determine for a way a lot spending Badenoch would lower underneath a UK power effectivity program, however stated: “There may be fats to chop.”

In accordance with consultants, Musk needs to be given the choice to donate to Reform UK or one other British political celebration.

Certainly, whereas British legislation prohibits foreigners from donating on to British political events, the foundations permit donations to corporations supplied they’re registered and integrated in the UK and perform their actions within the nation. Musk has enterprise pursuits within the UK, such because the UK department of X.

The Electoral Fee stated on Wednesday it was in talks with the federal government to vary the legislation on donations made by British companies to make sure that solely income made within the UK will be donated to events. Nonetheless, Downing Avenue has signaled that no reforms are imminent.

In the meantime, Downing Avenue has refused to touch upon Elon Musk’s vocal opposition to Starmer.

The prime minister’s spokesman stated Starmer “has made it very clear that we look ahead to working with President Trump and his complete administration.”