Conservative shadow minister Andrew Griffith has urged Elon Musk to take one other take a look at the Tories earlier than donating to Reform UK, highlighting his social gathering’s low-tax and anti-woke credentials.
The tech billionaire mentioned the concept of a donation to Reform UK throughout a gathering at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Monday with the social gathering’s chief Nigel Farage and its new treasurer Nick Sweet, in response to Farage.
The prospect of a big donation from the world’s richest man to Farage’s populist right-wing social gathering has sparked alarm throughout the Conservatives, who worry being outflanked by Reform UK on the subsequent basic election.
It additionally comes as Britain’s elections watchdog makes the case for adjustments to UK regulation to guard the electoral system from overseas interference.
Griffith described Musk as a “formidably proficient businessman” with pursuits within the UK, who was involved about points resembling freedom of speech, or what he known as the “woke thoughts virus”.
“I might say to [Musk] or to Nick, take a look at what the Conservative social gathering is doing,” Griffith advised the Monetary Instances in an interview on Wednesday.
He argued the Tories have been one of the best car for opposition to Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour authorities.
“If you happen to’re truly critical about offering opposition to this very socialist authorities, which many individuals do suppose is a risk to freedom of speech, truly, you already know, have a correct take a look at the complete menu earlier than leaping into anybody explicit course,” Griffith mentioned.
The shadow enterprise secretary emphasised his position when he was Metropolis of London minister final yr in serving to individuals, together with Farage, who mentioned that they had been denied financial institution accounts due to their political opinions.
He additionally pointed to Tory chief Kemi Badenoch’s criticisms of the now closed NHS Tavistock clinic for youngster gender id in London.
The prospect of Musk backing Reform UK got here into focus this week as he, Farage and former Tory donor and property tycoon Sweet have been photographed collectively at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence.
Farage posted the photograph on Musk’s X platform on Tuesday with the remark: “Britain Wants Reform.” Musk responded: “Completely.”
Griffith declined to touch upon whether or not he actively needed Musk, a outstanding ally of Trump, to as an alternative donate to the Conservative social gathering, saying that was not a part of his position.
However the shadow enterprise secretary mentioned he had been speaking to senior figures within the incoming Trump administration and shared their views on in search of to spend taxpayers’ cash extra properly.
“I’m not pretending I used to be operating all the way down to Mar-a-Lago and tweeting about it, however I spent every week in Washington speaking to individuals in and across the potential administration and what’s going to occur on authorities effectivity,” Griffith added.
Additionally on Wednesday, a spokesman for Badenoch mentioned the Tory chief was “an infinite fan of Elon Musk and what’s he finished with X”.
Badenoch supported the precept of a British model of “Doge”, Trump’s deliberate Division of Authorities Effectivity that can be co-led by Musk, her spokesman added. The advisory unit is geared toward slashing forms.
Badenoch “believes there was overregulation and too usually our first reply has been extra authorities” in Britain, her spokesman mentioned.
He didn’t put a determine on the quantity of expenditure Badenoch would lower underneath a UK effectivity programme, however mentioned: “There’s fats to trim.”
Musk is anticipated to have the power to make a donation to Reform UK or one other British political social gathering, in response to specialists.
It is because, whereas UK regulation bans foreigners from making donations on to British political events, the foundations enable donations to be made by firms as long as they’re registered and integrated within the UK, and keep it up enterprise within the nation. Musk has UK enterprise pursuits, such because the British arm of X.
The Electoral Fee mentioned on Wednesday it was in talks with the federal government about altering the regulation on donations made by British firms to make sure that solely earnings made within the UK might be donated to events. Nevertheless, Downing Avenue signalled that no reform was imminent.
In the meantime, Downing Avenue declined to touch upon Musk’s vocal opposition to Starmer.
The prime minister’s spokesman mentioned Starmer “has been very clear that we look ahead to working with President Trump and his complete administration”.
